Zakat And Quran

Zakat In quran, Zakat And Quran, Beneficiaries Of Zakat

Zakat in the Light of Quranic Verses

Author: Mohamamd Hashim Qasmi Bastawi

One of the important pillars of Islam is also Zakat. The Zakat means purification of wealth; it is also referred to as cleansing of wealth. The wealth from which Zakat is paid becomes purified and clean, which is why Zakat is also known as the name of purification of wealth.

 In the religion of Islam, Zakat is an important act of worship, like prayer, fasting, and Hajj.

It is obligatory for those who are wealthy and possess the prescribed amount of wealth (Nisab) to give 2.5% of their total wealth once a year.

 It is essential to spend on at least one of recipients, and the details of these category of  recipients are coming up next.

The Quran places great emphasis on giving Zakat, and the mention of Zakat appears in the Quran more than thirty times. In this article, we will try to understand Zakat in light of the verses of the Quran.

In the context of Zakat, two types of words are found in the Holy Quran: (1) Zakat  (2) Sadaqah

The word “Sadaqah” is less commonly used in the Quran to mean “Zakat.” One of the places it is mentioned is where the expenditures of Zakat are described.

{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]

“And it has also appeared in another place in Surah At-Tawbah:”

{وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَلْمِزُكَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا مِنْهَا رَضُوا وَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ} [التوبة: 58]

And among them there are those who find fault with you in (the distribution of) Sadaqat (alms). So, if they are given something out of it, they are quite happy, and if they are given nothing from it, they at once get annoyed. [Surah At Taubah: 58]

And the third place is also in Surah At-Tawbah:

{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.

The verses that emphasize the giving Zakat:

{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]

{وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ} [البقرة: 83]

And recall what time We took a bond with the Children of Israel saying: worship not any god save Allah, and unto parents show kindness, and also unto the kindred and the orphans and the poor, and speak kindly unto mankind, and establish prayer and give the poor rate. Then ye turned away, save a few of you, and ye are backsliders. [Surah Al Baqarah: 83]

{وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ } [البقرة: 110]

And be steadfast in Salah (prayer) and give Zakat. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Certainly, Allah is watchful of what you do. [Surah Al Baqarah: 110]

{أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوا أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً} [النساء: 77]

Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Hold your hands (from fighting) and be steadfast in Salah and pay Zakat, However, when fighting is enjoined upon them, then surprisingly, a group from them starts fearing people, as one would fear Allah, or fearing even more. [Surah An Nisa: 77]

{وَقَالَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَيْتُمُ الزَّكَاةَ وَآمَنْتُمْ بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ} [المائدة: 12]

Allah said: I am surely with you. If you establish Salah, and pay Zakah, and believe in My Messengers, and hold them in reverence, and advance to Allah a goodly loan, I shall certainly write off your evil deeds, and I shall certainly admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. [Surah Al-Ma’idah: 12]

{وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ} [الحج: 78]

And you become witnesses to (other) people. So establish Salah, pay Zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your patron. So, how excellent He is as a patron, and how excellent as a supporter![Surah Al-Haj: 78]

{وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى وَأَقِمْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ} [الأحزاب: 33]

And stay in your houses, and display not yourselves, with the display of the times of former Paganism; and establish the prayer and give the poor-rate and obey Allah and His apostle. [Surah Al-Ahzab: 33]

{أَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَنْ تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَاتٍ فَإِذْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا وَتَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ} [المجادلة: 13]

Have you become afraid of offering charities before your consultation? So when you did not do so, and Allah has forgiven you, then establish Salah, and pay Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah is well aware of what you do. [Surah Al-Mujadila: 13]

{وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا} [المزمل: 20]

And establish Salah, and pay Zakah, and advance to Allah a goodly loan. [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 20]

{وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ} [البينة: 5]

And they were commanded not but that they should worship Allah, keeping religion pure for him, as upright men, and that they should establish prayer and give the poor-rate, and that is the right religion. [Surah Al-Bayyinah: 5]

 

The verses in which the believers are praised for their adherence to prayer and zakat, and the good news of Paradise is given to them:

{الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ} [البقرة: 3]

Who believe in the Unseen, and are steadfast in Salah (prayer), and spend out of what We have provided them. [Surah Al Baqarah: 3]

{وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا} [البقرة: 177]

but righteousness is that one believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite (his) love for it, to relatives, and to orphans, the helpless, the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and (spends) in (freeing) slaves and observes the Salah (prayers) and pays Zakah and (the act of) those who fulfill their covenant when they enter into a covenant. [Surah Al Baqarah: 177]

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ} [البقرة: 277]

Surely those who believe and do good deeds, and establish Salah (prayer) and pay Zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. [Surah Al Baqarah: 277]

{لَكِنِ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلَاةَ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أُولَئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا} [النساء: 162]

But of them those well-grounded in the Knowledge and the believers believe in that which hath been sent down unto thee and that which hath been sent down before thee, and the establishers of prayer and the givers of the poor-rate and the believers in Allah and the Last Day-those: unto them anon We shall give a mighty hire. [Surah An-Nisa: 162]

{إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ} [المائدة: 55]

Your only friend is Allah, then His Messenger and those who believe, who establish Salah and pay Zakah and bow before Allah.[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 55]

{وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ} [الأعراف: 156]

And my mercy extends to everything. So, I shall write it for those who guard themselves against evil, and pay Zakah, and those who do believe in our verses. [Surah Al-A’raf: 156]

{إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَعَسَى أُولَئِكَ أَنْ يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ} [التوبة: 18]

In fact, the mosques of Allah are built-up only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and those who establish Salah and pay Zakah and who fear none but Allah. So, it is hoped that they are to be among those on the right path. [Surah At-Tawbah: 18]

{وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ} [التوبة: 71]

The believers, male and female, are friends to each other. They bid virtue and forbid vice and establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those are the ones whom Allah will bless with mercy. Surely, Allah is Powerful, Wise. [Surah At-Tawbah: 71]

{الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ} [الحج: 41]

(The ones who help Allah are) those who, when We give them power in the land, establish Salah, pay Zakah, bid what is Fair and forbid what is Unfair. And with Allah lies the fate of all matters. [Surah Al-Haj: 41]

{رِجَالٌ لَا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ يَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ الْقُلُوبُ وَالْأَبْصَارُ} [النور: 37]

by the men whom no trade or sale makes neglectful of the remembrance of Allah, nor from establishing Salah and paying Zakah, they are fearful of a day in which the hearts and the eyes will be over-turned. [Surah An-Nur: 37]

{هُدًى وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ (2) الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ} [النمل: 2، 3]

a guidance and good news to the believers, who establish Salah and pay Zakah and who have faith in the Hereafter. [Surah An-Naml: 2, 3]

{هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ (3) الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ} [لقمان: 3، 4]

a guidance and mercy for those who are good in their deeds, who are steadfast in Salah and who pay Zakah and have faith in the Hereafter. [Surah Luqman: 3, 4]

The verses in which it is commanded not to harm the lives and property of the polytheists after they have accepted faith, performed prayers, and paid zakat, and to treat them like Muslims:

{فَإِذَا انْسَلَخَ الْأَشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُوا لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ فَإِنْ تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَخَلُّوا سَبِيلَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} [التوبة: 5]

So, when the sacred months expire, kill the Mushriks wherever you find them, and catch them and besiege them and sit in ambush for them everywhere. Then, if they repent and establish Salah and pay Zakah, leave their way. Surely, Allah is most Forgiving, Very-Merciful. [Surah At-Tawbah: 5]

{فَإِنْ تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَنُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ } [التوبة: 11]

Then, if they repent and establish Salah and pay Zakah, they are your brothers in faith. We elaborate the verses for a people who understand. [Surah At-Tawbah: 11]

The verses in which the polytheists (Mushriks) are warned of a bad end on the Day of Resurrection for not paying Zakat:

{ 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-Tawbah: 34]

{وَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ (6) الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ} [فصلت: 6، 7]

And woe to the Mushriks (those who ascribe partners to Allah) who do not pay Zakah; and of the life of the Hereafter, they are deniers. [Surah Fussilat: 6, 7]

Summary of the Verses on Zakat:

In the Holy Quran, several verses regarding Zakat have been revealed, and their summary is as follows:

In some verses, Allah Almighty commands the believers to obey Allah and His Messenger and to consistently pay Zakat. This indicates the obligation and importance of Zakat in Islam, reflecting how crucial and necessary it is. For this reason, Islam has made Zakat obligatory for wealthy Muslims.

And In some verses, the believers who observe the obligation of Zakat are praised. Zakat is described as a good deed, and those who give Zakat hold a great rank and status with Allah. Moreover, Allah has promised Paradise to those who give Zakat, and it has been described as a characteristic of the believers. Furthermore, a promise of a good abode for them on the Day of Judgment has been given.

And in some verses, those who do not pay zakat have been warned about a terrifying and painful punishment on the Day of Judgment, and the abode of those who do not give zakat has been described as hell.

In some verses, Muslims are commanded that if any of their worst enemies or polytheists accept Islam and begin to pray and pay zakat, then this person is now your religious brother. Despite being a staunch opponent of Islam, since he has accepted Islam, he should neither be harmed nor have his life and wealth threatened. People tend to forget everything in the fire of revenge, but this is not the case in Islam. Rather, Islam not only forgives the enemies who accept Islam but also commands equality and fairness toward them.

After reflecting on all these verses, it can be concluded that Zakat holds great importance in Islam, and it is obligatory for wealthy Muslims. Those wealthy Muslims who do not pay Zakat will face severe punishment on the Day of Judgment.

Having understood this, you may naturally wonder who is considered wealthy in Islam, and what amount of wealth necessitates the payment of Zakat. What is the threshold for Zakat, when is it obligatory, and to whom should it be given? Who are the recipients of Zakat?

The answer to all these questions is that in Islam, every person is considered wealthy if they possess 612 grams of silver or 87 grams of gold, or have an amount of money equivalent to either of these. If these are free from his daily necessities, then that person is regarded as wealthy in the eyes of Islam. Zakat is obligatory on his, and it is necessary for his to pay 2.5% as zakat from all their money and wealth.

Now regarding the second question, when is it necessary to give zakat? The answer is that it is necessary to give 2.5 % of the total wealth and money after one year has passed.

As for the third question, what are the categories for the distribution of zakat? The answer is that the rightful recipients of zakat and the categories for its distribution are those mentioned in the Quran in Surah At-Tawbah; according to that:

There are eight categories of recipients and beneficiaries of Zakat:

The first and second category of recipients:

 is that of al-fuqara الفقراء (the poor) followed by the second which is that of al-masakin المساكين (the needy or indigent)

There is, though, difference of opinion about the real meaning of  “Faqir” and “Miskin”. A “faqir” is one who has nothing while a “Miskin” is one who has less than the Nisab.

But, they remain the same under the injunction of Zakah. No difference exists there.

The outcome is that a person who does not own wealth or property to the value of Nisab in excess of his or her basic needs shall be a person to whom Zakat can be given and for that person too this taking of Zakat is permissible.

 As for basic needs included therein is everything like the residential house, utensils in use, clothes and furniture etc. Anyone who has the Nisab, that is, 7.5 Tolas gold, (87.48 grams) or 52.5 tolas of silver (612.36 grams) or its equivalent in cash and is not in debt  then, it is not permissible for such a person to receive Zakat nor is it permissible for anyone to give it to him.

Similarly, a person who has some silver or cash and some gold and the combined market price equals the price of 52.5 tolas (612.36 grams) of silver, then, this person too is deemed to have the Nisab. It is not permissible for him to take Zakat nor is it permissible for anyone to give it to him.

But, a person who is not a man of Nisab, however is strong and healthy to earn his livelihood, and has enough for a day, then, giving Zakat to him is, no doubt, permissible but what is not permissible is that he goes about asking people to help him out. Many such people ignore this restriction not realizing that stretching their hands before others is Haram (unlawful).

The third category of recipients is Aamileen عَامِلِينَ:

 is that of the collectors of Sadaqah which has been described in the text وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا (and those employed to collect them). This refers to those who are appointed by the Islamic govern¬ment to collect the Sadaqat of Zakah and عُشر ` Ushr etc. from the people and deposit it in the Baytulmal (the state treasury). Since these appointees spend all their time in carrying out this service, therefore, taking care of their needs is a responsibility that falls on the Islamic government. This verse of the Qur’an has, by allotting a share to them in the dis¬bursement of Zakah, has categorically determined that the payment for the services rendered by them shall be made from the head of Zakah.

In the present era, the Islamic Madarsas and other Islamic organizations that appoint individuals for the collection of Zakat, although they are not formally classified as ‘Aamilin’ (those who collect Zakat and Sadqaat), since the work and objective are the same, where there is no Islamic government and no Bayt-ul-Mal (the Islamic treasury), the individuals collecting Zakat can also be regarded at the level of ‘Aamilin’, and their salaries can be paid from Zakat funds. This is also the opinion of Mufti Kifayatullah Sahib Dehlavi (Kifayat ul-Mufti: 4/269, Answer No: 341).

The fourth  categories of recipients of Zakah is Muallatul Quloob مؤلفة القلوب:

Its mean: that of  people whose hearts are to be won. The Qur’an calls them: مؤلفة القلوب .

These were people who were given Sadaqat so that their attitude to-wards Islam could be mollified.

The general impression about this category is that it included both Muslims and non-Muslims.

The object was to persuade non-Muslims in favor of Islam and neo-Muslims to be-come more firm.

Those who were already staunch Muslims were helped to guide their people right through such measures. Then, there were people among non-Muslims whose evil had to be avoided through a policy of appeasement. And there were people who would listen to no sermon or sword. The only language they understood was the lan¬guage of favor and generosity.

They too came closer to reconciliation through this policy. At that time, the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) did whatever was legally possible to bring people from the darkness of dis¬belief into the light of faith. However, after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) Islam had become politically strong and the initial plans to avoid the threat of disbelievers or to provide support to neo-Muslims did not remain valid anymore. What was expedient then had lost its expediency. So, that share also came to an end. Some Mus¬lim jurists have taken the position that it has been ` abrogated.’ This position is attributed to Sayyidna ` Umar (رض) ، Hasan al-Basri, Abu Hanifah and Malik ibn Anas, may the mercy of Allah be upon them.

However, many others hold that the share of this category has not been abrogated. That it was allowed to lapse during the period of Sayyidna Abu Bakr and ` Umar (رض) means that it was allowed to lapse because there was no need for it. However, if such a need does come up at some later time, it could be given again. This is the juristic view of Imam Zuhri, Qadi ` Abd al-Wahhab, ibn al-` Arabi, Imams Shaf”i` I and Ahmad رحمة الله عليهم .

But, the most authentic position is that non-Muslims were never given a share from Sadaqat at any time whatsoever, nor are they included under the category of mu’allafah al-quloob as con¬templated in the present verse 60.

In his Tafsir, Imam al-Qurtubi has given a detailed list of people to whom the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) had given a share from the head of Sadaqat. The purpose was to win their hearts through persuasion. At the end of his list, Al-Qurtubi has this to say: و۔ بِالجُملَة فَکُلُّھُم ُّؤمِنُ وَ لَم یَکُن فِیھِم کَافِر . It means: ` To sum it up, it can be said that all recipients under this category were Muslims and there was no kafir included therein.’

The fifth category of Zakah disbursement is reeing  slaves الرقاب:

Means that this person should be helped to secure his freedom from his master who should be given a share from Zakah funds to write off the amount due against the slave. Now this category is no longer necessary.

The sixth category of recipients: al-gharimin الْغَارِ‌مِينَ:

and  which means a person in debt.  giving out to free a slave or to release a person from debt is more merit worthy than giv¬ing to the poor and the needy in general. However, the condition is that the person in debt does not have enough funds to pay off that debt – because, lexically, the word: gharim is applied only to such a person in debt. And some Imams also add a condition that this person should not have borrowed for something impermissible. If someone goes in debt for something sinful, such as, to pay for liquor and its likes, or spends on impermissible customs of marriages and deaths, then, such a client will not be helped from the head of Zakah so that he is not en¬couraged in his sin and extravagance.

The seventh category of recipients: fi sabilillah فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ ( in the way of Allah):

Its mean is: a mujahid who does not have the means to buy necessary weapons and war supplies, or it means the person who must fulfill the obligation of Hajj but who does not have the necessary financial support to complete his due duty.

These two duties are purely religious. They are acts of worship. Therefore, by spending Zakah funds on them one helps a poor person and supports someone do his ` Ibadah. On the same analogy, Muslim jurists have included students of the schools of Islamic learning under this category as they too take it to fulfill what is an act of ` Ibadah in the way of Allah. (Ruh a1-Ma` ni with reference to Zahiriyyah)

The eighth category of Zakah disbursement is ibn al-sabil ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ:

Mean: wayfarer As a technical term of Zakah categories, it means a traveler who does not have neces¬sary funds with him, even if he may be a rich person in his home coun¬try. Zakah may be given to such a traveler so that he can satisfy his needs en route and return home in peace.

In any case, when we consider these eight categories of Zakat, it becomes evident that there are fundamentally two objectives of Zakat: one is to fulfill the needs of the poor and needy, and the second is to uplift Islam. In the way of Allah (في سبيل الله) and to strengthen the hearts of the people (مؤلفة القلوب) intended for the upliftment of Islam, while the remaining categories are primarily intended to fulfill the first need. (Extracted from “Aasan Tafseer” by Khalid Saifullah Rahmani with deletions and additions)

After studying all the verses of the Holy Quran regarding Zakat, it is concluded that it is obligatory for wealthy Muslims to pay Zakat. This is not only a religious duty but also an important means of helping the poor and needy Muslims. Those who adhere to this will surely be honored and successful in the sight of Allah, while those who are negligent or do not pay Zakat will certainly face severe consequences from Allah. May Allah grant all wealthy Muslims the ability to pay their Zakat sincerely and completely, free from any showoff. Ameen.

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