Hadith #9871

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

زَكاةُ السُّلْطانِ إغاثَةُ المَلْهُوفِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The alms-tax of the king is assisting the aggrieved.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this amazing Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (zakat) "زَكاةُ" refers to the obligatory charity that Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. (as-sultan) "السُّلْطانِ" refers to the ruler or the king, who has the authority to collect and distribute the zakat. (ighathah) "إغاثَةُ" means to assist or help, while (al-malhoof) "المَلْهُوفِ" refers to the one who is oppressed, afflicted, or in distress.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177:

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving charity to those in need, regardless of their social status or background. It highlights the true essence of righteousness, which lies in faith and the act of giving. Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith further emphasizes this concept by specifically mentioning the alms-tax of the king.

The role of the ruler or the king in collecting and distributing the zakat is significant. It is their responsibility to ensure that the wealth of the nation is used to assist the aggrieved and alleviate their suffering. This Hadith reminds us that the zakat collected by the ruler should be utilized to provide relief to those who are oppressed, afflicted, or in distress.

In Surah Al-Tawbah, verse 60, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mentions the categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat:

Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

This verse further reinforces the idea that the zakat should be used to assist those who are in need, including the oppressed and those burdened by debt. It is the duty of the ruler to ensure that the zakat is distributed equitably among these deserving individuals, as mentioned in Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement holds profound significance for Muslims. It reminds us of the importance of social justice and compassion in Islam. The ruler, as the custodian of the zakat, has a responsibility to ensure that the wealth of the nation is used to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed and provide assistance to those in need.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively participate in charitable acts and support those who are in distress. It encourages us to be mindful of the plight of the less fortunate and to extend a helping hand to them. By doing so, we fulfill our duty as believers and contribute to the establishment of a just and compassionate society.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the importance of utilizing the zakat collected by the ruler to assist the aggrieved. It reminds us of the duty of the ruler to distribute the zakat equitably and the responsibility of every Muslim to actively participate in charitable acts. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and enable us to be a source of relief and assistance for those in need.