Seminar: ‘Islamic social welfare nothing like Marxist redistribution’

‘Social welfare system would help reduce unrest amongst the poor’.

FAISALABAD:

Islamic social welfare mechanisms should be used to reduce unrest amongst deprived segments of society, speakers at a seminar said on Friday.

A seminar on The Concept of Social Welfare in the Light of Quran and Hadith was organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Islamic Studies Department at the Chemistry Departments’ Seminar Hall.

“Islam encourages Muslims to share their wealth with the poor, this is different from Maxist principles,” said Dr Shazia Ramazan, the chairperson of the UAF Islamic Studies Department. She said tIslam’s social justice system and principles of social responsibility did not equate with the creation of a socialist system. Ramazan said the rightly guided caliphs had fulfilled their social responsibilities towards the poor and orphans.

UAF Faculty of Sciences Dean Dr Muneer Ahmad Sheikh said it was the duty of rich Muslims to help the poor.

“If they don’t fulfill their duty towards the poor, the faith of rich Muslims will be judged wanting. They will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.”

Sheikh said Islam encouraged rich Muslims to spend in the way of charity; to support orphans, the poor, widows, the disabled, the elderly and the mentally challenged.

Dr Humayun Abbas, the chairman of the Government College University Faisalabad Islamic Studies Department, said the Quran clearly stated the necessity of fulfilling our social responsibilities towards orphans and the poor. He said the belief in the Day of Judgment was not merely a philosophical or mystical matter, but had a practical dimension.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.