Meaning of the term Zakat used during Delhi Sultanate
Zakat is an Arabic term that refers to the obligatory charitable contribution that Muslims are required to make based on their wealth. During the Delhi Sultanate period, which lasted from the 13th century to the 16th century, Zakat was an important element of Islamic social and economic life.
The Delhi Sultanate rulers were Muslim, and they enforced the collection and distribution of Zakat among the Muslim population. The Zakat was collected by officials appointed by the Sultan and was distributed among the poor and needy Muslims. The funds collected through Zakat were also used for the construction and maintenance of mosques, madrasas, and other Islamic institutions.
Zakat was considered one of the five pillars of Islam, along with Shahada (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). It was obligatory on all adult Muslims who possessed wealth above a certain threshold, which was determined by the Islamic legal system.
The Zakat system during the Delhi Sultanate period was an important means of providing social welfare to the Muslim population. It helped to alleviate poverty and provide basic necessities to those in need, while also promoting the growth of Islamic institutions and the spread of Islamic values.