Author: Mohamamd Hashim Qasmi Bastawi
Preface:
Zakat is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. According to the Quran and Hadith, it is obligatory for every wealthy Muslim who possesses the minimum threshold (Nisab), is an adult, and is not in debt. They are required to give 2.5% of their entire wealth once a year. Suppose if the nisab for Zakat is $100; if a person possesses this minimum amount, then he is obligated to give $2.50 to one of the eligible recipients of Zakat annually.
Meaning of Zakat:
The meaning of Zakat encompasses purity, cleanliness, and growth. The wealth for which Zakat is given becomes pure and is blessed. It is called Zakat because after giving Zakat, the remaining wealth achieves cleanliness, and the heart of the giver is purified, which is why it is called Zakat.
Obligation of Zakat:
According to the Islamic calendar, Zakat was made obligatory in the 2nd year of Hijra, which corresponds to 623 CE. There are several verses in the Holy Quran regarding its obligation, as well as numerous authentic Hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad. For example, Allah Almighty has stated:
{وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ } [البقرة: 43]
And be steadfast in Salah (prayer) and pay Zakat, and bow down with those who bow down. [Surah Al Baqarah: 43]
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Muadh bin Jabal in Bukhari and Muslim:”
“فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ، فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ”. (صحيح البخاري: 1395، صحيح مسلم: 19)
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Hazrat Mu’adh as the governor of Yemen, he instructed him, saying: “O Mu’adh! When the people of Yemen profess the oneness of God and the prophethood (of Muhammad) and begin to pray, then inform them that Allah has made zakat (charity) obligatory on their wealth, which will be taken from the wealthy among them and distributed to the poor.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1395, Sahih Muslim: 19)
Purpose of Zakat:
Helping poor Muslims and the elevation of Islam.
Benefits of Zakat:
- The payment of Zakat is a fulfillment of a religious duty.
- Zakat is a form of obedience and submission to Allah and an expression of servitude.
- Through Zakat, goodness and kindness are extended to Allah’s creations by helping them.
- Zakat serves the legitimate needs of people.
- Zakat is a means of protection from calamities and disasters.
- A person who gives Zakat develops the quality of generosity, and it helps eliminate stinginess and miserliness.
- Zakat and charity lead to an increase in wealth and prosperity.
- Zakat is also a means of purifying wealth from impurities and serves as a method of internal cleansing.
Allah Almighty has stated:
{خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا} [التوبة: 103]
Take Sadaqah (obligatory alms) out of their wealth, through which you may cleanse and purify them, The word “Zakat” has been mentioned frequently in the Holy Quran, and most of these verses are where the command to give Zakat is stated. [Surah At Taubah: 103]
On whom is Zakat obligatory?
Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim who is free, wealthy, and possesses a minimum threshold of wealth (Nisab).
What is the threshold (Nisab) for Zakat?
A Muslim who possesses 612.36 grams of silver or 87.48 grams of gold, or an equivalent amount in cash beyond his daily needs, is considered to be above the threshold (Nisab) and is obliged to pay Zakat.
On which things is Zakat obligatory?
Gold, silver, or jewelry made from gold and silver, cash, currency, livestock, trade goods, income from commercial land, income from commercial vehicles, income from rental properties, etc.
On which things is Zakat not obligatory?
Zakat is not applicable on commonly used items such as residential houses, clothes in use, household belongings, vehicles, machinery, and animals used for transportation, etc.
What is the obligatory amount of Zakat?
If a Muslim has only gold, then 7.5 tola of gold (87.48 grams), or if only silver, then 52.5 tola of silver (612.36 grams), or if he has cash or trade goods equivalent to the value of one of these, or if the total value of all these combined or some of them equals the value of the silver’s Nisab then such a person is obliged to give 2.5% zakat on the eligible wealth at the end of the year.
Who are the deserving recipients of Zakat?
Allah Almighty has mentioned this in Surah At Tawbah:
{إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ } [التوبة: 60]
The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise. [Surah At Taubah: 60]
The deserving recipients of Zakat according to the verse are:
- The poor.
- The needy.
- Those who collect Zakat and charity on behalf of the government.
- That of people whose hearts are to be won, meaning new Muslims
- The emancipation of slaves.
- Debtors.
- Travelers, Wayfarer.
- In the way of Allah, meaning those who strive in jihad (Mujahidin)
Note: The category of spending for winning hearts and freeing slaves is no longer available; however, individuals appointed by Islamic schools and Islamic organizations are included among the those who collect Zakat and charity on behalf of the government.
The fate of those who do not pay Zakat:
Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, there is a severe punishment mentioned in the Quran and Hadith.
Allah says:
{وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنْفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ} [التوبة: 34]
As for those who accumulate gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, give them the good‘ news of a painful punishment. [Surah At Taubah: 34]
And it is narrated in Sahih Bukhari from Abu Huraira:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” مَنْ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالًا، فَلَمْ يُؤَدِّ زَكَاتَهُ مُثِّلَ لَهُ مَالُهُ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ شُجَاعًا أَقْرَعَ لَهُ زَبِيبَتَانِ يُطَوَّقُهُ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ، ثُمَّ يَأْخُذُ بِلِهْزِمَتَيْهِ – يَعْنِي بِشِدْقَيْهِ – ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَنَا مَالُكَ أَنَا كَنْزُكَ، ثُمَّ تَلاَ: (لَا يَحْسِبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ) ” الآيَةَ (رواه البخاري في صحيحه: 1403)
Allah’s Apostle (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ “Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) recited the holy verses:– ‘Let not those who withhold . . .’ (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
Summary:
Zakat is an important religious obligation, which was made compulsory in the 2nd year of Hijra acroding the Islamic calendar. One of the main purposes of Zakat is to help poor Muslims and to elevate the status of Islam. Zakat has numerous religious and worldly benefits.
Every Muslim who is sane, mature, wealthy, and possesses the requisite amount is obligated to pay Zakat. The nisab (minimum amount) for Zakat is 612.36 grams of silver, or 87.48 grams of gold, or equivalent cash. The rate of Zakat is 2.5%. Zakat is obligatory once a year. For those who are wealthy yet do not pay Zakat, there is severe punishment from Allah on the Day of Judgment.


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