1. Tatfif is an Arabic term which means deceit and
cheating in this context it means cheating and deceiving people in business
transactions which is done in the following ways:
i.
The person will use a standard measures to buy
grains, and when he sells he uses a sub-standard one thereby cheating the
buyers. The person uses a scale to weigh sack of grains, while selling; he puts
in the sack an object that will add weight to them so that he unduly gets
better profit.
ii.
It can also be by way of mixing good and bad
products to deceive and cheat the buyer.
Some of the consequences
of Tatfif in Islam
i.
Tatfif is also prohibited by Allah. He promised
to punish whoever engaged in it on the Day of Judgment.
ii.
Economically Tatfif sends away customers if they
discover that they have been cheated.
Application of
lessons to daily life
i.
Government can punish those who engage in
Tatfif.
ii.
Muslim traders could by themselves avoid the two
Tatfif.
iii.
Muslim trader could use standard measure and
weighing instruments.
2. Importance of Zakah as an institution for
social welfare.
Zakah is an economic system that de-emphasizes i.e. Zakah
means a specified percentage taken from the wealth that has reached a certain
amount and has been in one’s possession for up to one year.
i.
Excessive love of wealth that is normally found
in some economic system.
ii.
Excessive greed that makes people to pile up
wealth as it is found in some economic system.
iii.
Hoarding of wealth and refusal to help others
with it especially those eight categories of people mentioned by Allah (Q9:60)
Social benefits
i.
It helps wealth to circulate within a society.
ii.
It takes care of poor people.
iii.
Reduces poverty in the society.
iv.
It generates love for the rich from the poor.
3.Importance of Sadaqah
for social welfare
i.
Sadaqah means charity that is given to the needy
and close relations and neighbors voluntarily.
ii.
Sadaqah Janyatun is another form of Sadaqah. It
means continuous charity. This is
because the giver receives continuous rewards as long as it benefits others e.g.
public well, a tree bearing fruits e.t.c Waqf (Charitable bequest).
iii.
Sadaqah
·
Generates love and goodwill l from the receiver.
·
Reduces tension in the society.
·
Inculcates generosity on the part of the giver.
4. Importance of
Baytul-Mal as an Institution for the prosperity of the Ummah
i.
Baytul-Mal (treasury) is the department of finance
in which revenues accrue to the state are deposited its existence indicates
organization of the Ummah.
Application of the
principles of Zakah, Sadaqah to the Norms of the modern welfare states.
i.
Muslims could borrow a leaf from welfare states
to create funds for social welfare purposes through the collection of Zakat and
Sadaqah.
ii.
A separate committee for each unit will be
effective.
iii.
The fund could be used to take care of old
people especially those who have no relations to take care of them.