25 Jan 2022 By Know Muslim
Zakat is a form of almsgiving to the Muslim Ummah treated in Islam as a religious obligation, which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer in importance. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious duty for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth to help the needy.
Zakat is an obligatory form of charity, and one of the five pillars of Islam, which is required of Muslims once their wealth is equivalent or exceed a certain threshold (known as “Nisab”) for one full Lunar year (known as “Hawl”). As clearly stated in The Qur’an and the authentic quotes (Hadith) of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). As Allah mentioned “And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing” (The Qur’an Chapter 2: Verse 110).
Zakat leads to stronger social communion and solidarity among members of society. It helps in the eradication of poverty and the enhancement of morality and love. As Allah mentioned in the Qur’an “My mercy encompasses all things.” So, I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give Zakat and those who believe in Our verses” (The Qur’an Chapter 7: Verse 156).
Zakat is prescribed to serve philanthropic purposes, which include providing for the needy and achieving social justice among members of society. The payment of Zakat, is a purification from selfishness and greed. As Allah mentioned “Take, (O, Muhammad), from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke (Allah ‘s blessings) upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing”. (The Qur’an Chapter 9: Verse 103).
It is considered a blessing which protects and increases the wealth of the payers in their life and leads to great reward from Allah the Almighty in the Hereafter and protection from punishment of fire of Hell, As Allah mentioned “And whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in Zakat, desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers” (The Qur’an Chapter 30: Verse 39).
The Presence of the Intention: Although the payment of voluntary charity is greatly recommended and rewarded, it cannot be a substitute for the payment of obligatory Zakat which is calculated as illustrated here and which must be paid with such intention.
1) Payment of Zakat is obligatory once a person’s wealth equals or exceeds the “Nisab”. The “Nisab” is specified as 85 grammes of pure gold or 595 grammes of pure silver or their equivalent in cash and funds of all types, such as stocks, properties of all kinds, tradable assets and all that is mentioned in the table below, the methodology in estimating the Nisab of Zakat in cash money as follows: price of gramme gold today x 85 = (Nisab). For example, if price of one gramme gold today is BD 19, then Nisab will be BD 1,615. If you at least have an amount equivalent or exceeds the Nisab, for one full lunar year, you must pay Zakat at 2.5% on this full amount.
2) The Zakat payer’s Lunar year begins on the date when a person’s wealth reaches the Nisab. To simplify matters and to avoid the repetition of Zakat date within a single Lunar year, it is acceptable for a Muslim to specify a single date on which to pay Zakat and to adhere to such date every year whether one full Lunar year has passed on every portion of his/her wealth or not, assuming that his/her wealth has the Nisab on this date.
3) If a person dies before he/she has paid Zakat and it is due, his/her heirs must pay it from his/her estate, after settling debts before paying bequests. Children, minors, orphans, widows and widowers must pay Zakat on their wealth if the conditions mentioned above are met. This is because Zakat is tied to wealth and not individuals or status. Therefore, guardians (of minors) and trustees of such people should pay Zakat on their behalf.
Zakat may only be paid to the eight categories mentioned in the Qur’an Chapter 9: Verse 60, namely:
The poor, classified as someone who doesn’t have sufficient resources to meet half of his/her basic needs.
The needy, classified as someone who doesn’t have sufficient resources to meet all of his/her basic needs.
Collectors and distributors of Zakat (as in wages).
To those who have recently embraced Islam, for example, to compensate them for difficulties they may face as a result.
In order to free a slave.
To support debtors who genuinely cannot pay off their debts.
In the cause of Allah, which is everything intended to champion Allah’s word.
To support the traveler stranded far from home.
It is preferred for Zakat to be paid first to relatives only if they fall within one of the eight categories mentioned above, then to the people of the same village, city or country and then people of other countries. It is also preferred for the person paying Zakat to pay it directly him or herself, if he/she knows those who are entitled to it, so that compassion and benevolence may be engrained in their heart. Otherwise, he/she may delegate this task to others.
Zakat should not be paid to those whom the person paying Zakat is obligated to support, for instance a wife, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. However, a wife may pay Zakat to her husband if he falls within one of the eight categories above. Also, the following are not entitled to receive Zakat: those who have wealth; those who are able to find a job and earn a living but choose not to do so; the family of Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) which are the progeny of Bani Hashim.
Information regarding Muslim World and Pakistan.
