Definition
MISKĪN (مسكين) is an Arabic term denoting a person who is extremely impoverished, having no property or means of sustenance. It is derived from Qur’anic and Hadith sources and is acknowledged under Islamic law (Sharia) as necessitating distinct forms of support and aid.
Etymology
The origin of MISKĪN stems from the Arabic root “s-k-n”, which broadly means “to be silent or motionless”, implying a state of helplessness or immobility due to extreme poverty.
Background
In Islamic jurisprudence, the term MISKĪN is differentiated from “faqīr” (فقير), which refers to someone who possesses some property but remains in a state of poverty. This distinction is vital for the purposes of Zakat (almsgiving) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity), both of which are forms of welfare central to Islam’s economic and social justice teachings.
Qur’anic References
Several verses of the Qur’an emphasize the importance of aiding the MISKĪN. For instance:
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177): “Righteousness is in one who…gives in charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy (miskīn), the traveler in distress, and those who ask for help.”
- Surah Al-Ma’un (107: 1-3): “Have you seen the one who denies the Hereafter? That is the one who repulses the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the miskīn.”
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Differences:
In a regional context, the application of charitable actions towards the miskīn may vary. In some Islamic countries, there are established zakat collection and distribution organizations. In other regions, non-governmental or community-based organizations play significant roles.
Similarities:
Across the Islamic world, irrespective of local variations in the application, there remains a unanimous emphasis on compassion, charity, and social welfare through helping the miskīn.
Synonyms
- Faqīr (فقير): Poor person, with some means of sustenance.
- Āyl (آيل): Indigent.
Antonyms
- Ghaniyy (غنيّ): Wealthy, rich.
- Mootarif (مترَفْ): Affluent, wealthy with ease.
Related Terms
- Zakat (زكاة): Obligatory almsgiving, one of the five pillars of Islam.
- Sadaqah (صدقة): Voluntary charity given to those in need.
- Infāq (إنفاق): General spending or giving in the way of Allah.
Exciting Facts
- Historical Precedence: The first social welfare system was established by Caliph Umar based on the principles of aiding the miskīn.
- Zakat: One of the core pillars of Islam targeted specifically for redistribution of wealth to socially support the miskīn.
- Hadith Emphasis: The Prophet Muhammad emphasized aiding the miskīn as a pathway to both personal purification and societal betterment.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- Ibn Khaldun: “The welfare of the poor is the responsibility of the society, an obligation that binds the community and helps uphold the moral fabric of the Ummah.”
Suggested Literature and Further Studies
- “Poverty and Charity in Medieval Islam: Mamluk Egypt, 1250–1517” by Adam Sabra
- “Economic Thought in Islamic History” by Abu Yusuf (Classical Scholar)
- “The Early Islamic Conquests” by Fred M. Donner
Quizzes
For those who seek to uncover the depths of sympathy, empathy, and assistance embedded within Islamic teachings, examining the term MISKĪN invites one to become part of a perennial labor of love, contributing to the tapestry of decency and communal support.
With peaceful blessings, Sufi Hasan
