🌾 Understanding Ushr: The Islamic Agricultural Tithe 🌾

Delve into Ushr, the Islamic concept of a land tax on agricultural produce, and explore its history, application, and revival in Pakistan during the 1980s.

🌾 Ushr: The Islamic Agricultural Tithe

Definition and Meaning

Ushr (Arabic: عُشر, romanized: ’ushr) is an Islamic term referring to a specific type of tax on agricultural produce, calculated as a tenth (or tithe) of the yield. This levy was traditionally imposed on farmland owned by Muslims, emphasizing the importance of wealth redistribution and societal responsibility in Islam.

Etymology

The term “Ushr” derives from the Arabic root word “عشر” (ʿshr) meaning “ten.” It signifies the tenth part of agricultural produce that is designated for tax purposes.

Background and Historical Context

Ushr has roots in Islamic jurisprudence, specifically in the regulatory framework concerning financial obligations and social welfare. The practice traces back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, when it was instituted as part of a broader system of zakat (obligatory alms).

  • Classical Era: In early Islamic societies, Ushr was seen as a means to support both the poor and public welfare projects. The tax was typically collected during the harvest season.
  • Modern Revival: Ushr was reintroduced in Pakistan during the 1980s under General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq’s Islamization regime. This was part of broader legislative efforts to align governance with Islamic principles.

Cultural Similarities and Differences

While Ushr is unique to Islamic law, similar systems of agricultural tithing can be found in other cultures:

  • Christian Tithing: Many Christian communities also practice tithing, often giving a tenth of their earnings to the church.
  • Ancient Roman Decuma: Ancient Rome imposed a similar system, the “decuma,” on agricultural produce.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:

  1. Zakat Al-Kharaj (different kind of tax on land but may be compared in function)
  2. Government Levy

Antonyms:

  1. Exemption
  2. Subsidy
  1. Zakat: A form of almsgiving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax.
  2. Kharaj: Another form of land tax in historical Islamic contexts, usually applied to non-Muslim landowners.
  3. Sadaqah: Voluntary charity given to please Allah.

Exciting Facts

  1. The exact amount of Ushr to be paid varies depending on the method of irrigation used. For naturally irrigated land, the rate is 10%, but for artificially irrigated land, it drops to 5%.
  2. The collection of Ushr was often used to fund public projects like road construction and public baths in historical Islamic empires.
  3. The reintroduction of Ushr in Pakistan during the 1980s stirred significant political and economic debate.

Quotations

A farm taxed by Ushr is not less fertile; it’s a fertile heart that cultivates justice and charity. - Abu Hanifa

References for Further Study:

  1. Al-Mawardi, “Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah (The Ordinances of Government).”
  2. Muhammad Matlubur Rahman, “Revenue and Subsistence in Early Muslim Rule.”
  3. Sayyid Qutb, “Social Justice in Islam.”
  4. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, “The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary."

Translations:

  • Arabic: عُشر (ʿUshr)
  • Turkish: Uşur
  • Urdu: عُشَر (ʿUshr)
  • Bengali: উশর (Ushr)
  • Indonesian: Ushr
  • Persian: عشر (ʿUshr)

Inspirational Thought

May the study of Ushr remind us of the importance of sharing our blessings and nurturing our communities. 🌾

### What does the term "Ushr" denote? - [x] A tenth of agricultural produce levied as a tax. - [ ] A pre-Arabic poetry form. - [ ] An ancient military strategy. - [ ] A type of Islamic prayer. > **Explanation:** Ushr refers to a tax on a tenth of agricultural produce, traditionally levied in Islamic contexts. ### Which Arabic root word does "Ushr" derive from? - [x] "عشر" (ʿshr) - [ ] "زرع" (zaraʿ) - [ ] "حصد" (ḥaṣad) - [ ] "تجارة" (tijāra) > **Explanation:** "Ushr" comes from the Arabic root "ʿshr," meaning ten. ### Ushr falls under which category of Islamic obligations? - [x] Zakat (Almsgiving) - [ ] Sawm (Fasting) - [ ] Hajj (Pilgrimage) - [ ] Salat (Prayer) > **Explanation:** Ushr is a form of zakat related to agricultural produce. ### How was Ushr reintroduced in Pakistan? - [x] As part of the Islamization regime in the 1980s - [ ] During the British colonial period - [ ] After the Mughal Empire - [ ] With the arrival of the Abbasid Caliphate > **Explanation:** Ushr was revived in Pakistan during the 1980s under General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization policy. ### What is the rate of Ushr for naturally irrigated land? - [x] 10% - [ ] 5% - [ ] 15% - [ ] 20% > **Explanation:** The rate of Ushr for naturally irrigated land is 10%. ### What purpose did the collected Ushr serve in historic Islamic societies? - [x] Public projects like roads and baths - [ ] Funding military campaigns exclusively - [ ] Private wealth of the collectors - [ ] Decoration of religious places > **Explanation:** The tax was often used to fund public projects such as roads and public baths. ### Which ancient system is similar to Ushr in its functional structure? - [x] Roman Decuma - [ ] Greek Demokratia - [ ] Egyptian Shaduf - [ ] Chinese Quxi > **Explanation:** The Roman Decuma, a similar system of agricultural taxation, bears functional resemblance to Ushr. ### Which notable Persian term closely aligns with the meaning of Ushr? - [x] A’shara (عَشَرَة) - [ ] Naan (نان) - [ ] Aab (آب) - [ ] Dehqan (دهقان) > **Explanation:** The Persian term A’shara, meaning ten, aligns closely with the meaning of Ushr.

Zayd Malik October 1, 2023

May you continue to foster knowledge and wisdom, sowing seeds of justice and prosperity wherever you go. 🌾

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