Payment of Zakat to Non-Muslims in the Light of Islamic Shariah

This study revisited the literature to find answer to an important question that whether Zakat could or could not be paid to the non Muslims? There are different arguments in favor of giving the Zakat to the needy Dhimmies (non Muslims) in an Islamic State.  After reviewing Islamic teachings, laid down in holy Quran and Sunnah, the practices of pious Caliphs, in the Islamic History, views of different Islamic schools of thought and the opinion of modern Islamic jurists, the study found that Quran and Sunnah allowed the payment of zakat to the Al-Muallaf-al-Qulub (poor non-Muslims and those, whose hearts are to be inclined). However, there are differences in the opinion of various Islamic schools of thought. For example, according to Maliki and Zaidi schools of jurisprudence it is lawful to give Zakat to the non-Muslims, where as Shyafee school of thought hold opposite opinion and does not allow the payment of Zakat to the non-Muslims. The modern Islamic jurists Muhammad Shaltut, Mustafa Al-Zarka, Taha Jabir, Syed Abual Aa la Maududi, Imam Khumany of Shia School of thought etc, argue that since modern states have become welfare states, it is therefore allowed to use zakat for the well-being of citizens including the non-Muslims. The recommendations given in this study are multidimensional that we will not only help the poor non-Muslims but also complement to eradicate poverty and reduce income inequality in Muslim countries

Bio-Ecology and Management of Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa Armigera Lepidoptera: Noctuidae

Studies were carried out to evaluate the seasonal incidence of population of Helicoverpa armigera, Chrysoperla carnea and parasitism of H. armigera by Habrobracon hebetor in three districts, i.e. Faisalabad, Multan and Rahim Yaar Khan, temperature dependent biological parameters, drought influence on H. armigera along its natural enemies [C. carnea (Stephens) and H. hebetor (Say)] and development of IPM module against H. armigera in cotton agro-ecosystem. The maximum population of adults and larvae of H. armigera recorded during the month of August was 4.10 per trap and 0.52 per plant, respectively. The lowest population was recorded in October, with values of 0.87 adults per trap and 0.12 larvae per plant. Population of C. carnea was highest (0.90 per plant) in September and the lowest number (0.21 per plant) was recorded in July. Similarly, parasitism rates were highest (33.7%) and lowest (04.87%) in September and July, respectively. Adults and larvae of H. armigera were highest in R.Y. Khan i.e. 3.48 and 0.44 per plant, respectively. In contrast, C. carnea population was highest (0.72 per plant) in Faisalabad which was followed by Multan (0.55 per plant) and R.Y. Khan (0.38 per plant). Parasitism was also high in the district Faisalabad (13.39%) followed by Multan (6.36%) and R. Y. Khan (6.23%). Adults and larvae were positively correlated with temperature and r values were calculated at 0.5818 and 0.5240, respectively. Population of C. carnea was negatively correlated with temperature with an r value of -0.5546. Similarly, the parasitism of H. armigera by H. hebetor was negatively correlated with temperature (r= -0.5768). Higher temperatures decreased the duration of development and also decreased the reproductive capacity of H. armigera, C. carnea and H. hebetor. Degree days for developmental period for H. armigera, C. carnea and H. hebetor were 250, 166.67 and 71.43, respectively. The drought caused significant detrimental effects on population of H. armigera and parasitism by H. hebetor. In contrast, C. carnea population was not significantly (F= 2.01, DF= 4 and P>0.05) affected by drought. The maximum yield was recorded 1639.52 kg/ha (16.0 kg/plot) in T15 [T1 (spray of Spinosad) + T2 (spray of neem seed kernel extract) + T3 (release of C. carnea) + T4 (release of H. hebetor)] which was followed by T12 [T1 (spray of Spinosad) + T2 (spray of neem seed kernel extract) + T4 (releases of H. hebetor)] and T13 [T1 (spray of Spinosad) + T3 (release of C. carnea) + T4 (release of H. hebeor)] with values of 1475.568 and 1332.11 kg/ha, respectively. T1 (spray of Spinosad), T5 [(spray of Spinosad) + (spray of neem seed kernel extract)] and T15 proved the most economical pest management modules exhibiting CBR 1:6 followed by T7 [(sprays of Spinosad) + (releases of H. hebetor)] and T12 [(spray of Spinosad) + (spray of neem seed kernel extract) + (releases of H. hebetor)] which explained a CBR of 1:5.5 approximately.