Social security is the fundamental human need. Sickness, death, disease, disability, storm, fire, flood, accidents, drowning and the financial losses caused by them are the reasons of this need. The sufferings from these events take the victim and his dependents towards poverty. In Islam accomplishment of the basic needs of everyone whosoever, is unable to meet the needs was conceived to be the concern of the state. Zakat is the first institution of the social security in Islam. Every Muslim has to pay 2.5% of savings as Zakat fund which is fundamental duty of every Muslim. The social security system of Islam is divine in character and based entirely on the Qur’an and Hadith. Qur’an says: “It is righteousness that you turn your faces towards east or west, but it is righteousness, to believe in God and the last day ,and the angles and the Book, and the messengers, to spend of your substance, or of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarers, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayer, and give Zakat, to fulfil the contracts you have made, and to be firm and patient ,in pain and sufferings and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic, such are the people of truth ,the God fearing”. According to this verse, the Qur’an clearly directs us to offer material help to the needy, poor to help economically depressed people and classes, and to sympathies the creatures of God. Almighty says in Qur’an “Whatever you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatever good you do, Allah surely is knower of it”. “Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicly, their reward is with their Lord, And they have no fear, nor shall they grieve”. Islam provides the social security for the nourishment and comfort to all the citizens. Every person is held responsible for the welfare of other. Islam gives social attention to the protection of the interests of orphans by their guardians because the properties of orphans are exposed to many risks. Islam also persuades the responsibility of members of the community over those who are living in poverty as Prophet (saw) says: “If somebody in a community sleeps hungry until the next morning, Allah will withdraw his security from the community.”
Umer bin Khatab (R.A) was the first ruler in the world who introduced the system of social security in his government and during that period the social security system has become so strong, that the people wanted to pay Zakat but there was no one to receive it. Even the expenses of nursing and breeding and allowances for the new born child was given from the treasury.
In Islam it is the responsibility of the state to provide relief to the people who are in distress, and help people in the natural climates, genetic, abnormality, temporary unemployment, old age, or the natural death of a family guardian. Islam clearly directs the businessman and employees to contribute from their salaries and wages and should have their own Zakat funds. In addition to this state can impose other taxes to raise funds for the social security. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said: “I am the guardian of a person who has no guardian”. “The son of Adam has basic rights for their things, a house to live in, and a piece of cloth to cover body and a loaf of bread and water”. The department of social security under the reign of Umer bin Khatab (R.A) the second Caliph not only opened its door to the Muslims but also for the nonMuslims. Stipends were given to the poor from the treasury without any distinction of religion. On seeing an old Jew begging Umer bin Khatab (R.A) brought him to His house, gives him some cash and ordered the treasury officer that such people who could not earn their living should be given stipends from the public treasury. Umer bin Khatab (R.A) was the first ruler in the world who introduced the system of social security in his government and during that period the social security system has become so strong, that the people wanted to pay Zakat but there was no one to receive it. Even the expenses of nursing and breeding and allowances for the new born child was given from the treasury.
