Why do we deprive the poor of enjoying the pride of being tax-payers?

Question:
Zakat and Salat are ordered alike. When there is no exemption in salat, why should there be a threshold for Zakat? The kind of disparity in the implementation of these two commands show us as if one is ibadah and the other is a fine. Why do we deprive the poor of enjoying the pride of being tax-payers? Let the rich pay according to their own resources, and the poor, according to theirs, be it a coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit. Salat and Zakat should run hand-in-hand: One who is able, must pray; one who earns must pay.

Comments?

Response:
Your feelings are good but the world is not like the way you it to be. We have disparity in this world and people are expected to perform, especially where money is involved, according to their capacity. What poor people lose by not paying Zakat, they gain by being patient and thankful to God for what He has given them. The rich, on the other hand, can still lose despite paying Zakat, if their intention, attitude, and behaviour is not correct. This life is a fair trial for all, although different people are being tested in different circumstances and situations.

Their two other important ibadaat too: fasting and Hajj. Fasting can only be done by those who have good health; Hajj can only be done by the rich. Going by your concern for a completely egalitarian approach towards ibadaat, how would one justify the fact that some people miss out on these acts of worship while others avail the opportunity doing them?

The fact of the matter is that we have all expected to go through the trial of this life within the limitations of of our constraints. The Almighty is going to reward us or make us accountable while taking into account these limitations.

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