Zakat\Alms-giving In Islam
Zakat (Arabic: زكاة ,"That which purifies") or alms-giving is the practice of charitable giving by Muslims based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all who are able to do so. It is considered to be a personal responsibility for Muslims to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality. Zakat consists of spending 2.5% of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy, including slaves, debtors and travelers.
A Muslim may also donate more as an act of voluntary charity (Sadaqah), rather than to achieve additional divine reward.
A Muslim may also donate more as an act of voluntary charity (Sadaqah), rather than to achieve additional divine reward.
Meaning of Word "Zakat"
Linguistically, Zakat has two meanings: purification and growth. Technically, it means to purify one's possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor, the indigent, the slaves or captives, and the wayfarer.
Zakat in the View of Quran and Hadith
In the view of Quran
Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship which has to be performed bodily, so is Zakat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Those who fulfill this duty have been promised abundant reward in this world and hereafter. Whoever evades Zakat has been sternly warned in the Qur'an and Hadith of the consequences.It has been mentioned, along with daily Prayers (Salaat / Namaz), over seventy times in the Quran.
ALLAH said in Sura Al-Baqarah, Ayat 177
ALLAH said in Sura Al-Baqarah, Ayat 177
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
کچھ اصل نیکی یہ نہیں کہ منہ مشرق یا مغرب کی طرف کرو ہاں اصلی نیکی یہ کہ ایمان لائے اللہ اور قیامت اور فرشتوں اور کتاب اور پیغمبروں پر اور اللہ کی محبت میں اپنا عزیز مال دے رشتہ داروں اور یتیموں اور مسکینوں اور راہ گیر اور سائلوں کو اور گردنیں چھوڑانے میں اور نماز قائم رکھے اور زکوٰة دے اور اپنا قول پورا کرنے والے جب عہد کریں اور صبر والے مصیبت اور سختی میں اور جہاد کے وقت یہی ہیں جنہوں نے اپنی بات سچی کی اور یہی پرہیزگار ہیں
Basic virtue is not just to turn faces to the East and the West, but true righteousness is that one must believe in ALLAH and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets; and out of love for ALLAH, to give treasured wealth to relatives and to the orphans and the needy and the traveller, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and to keep the prayer established and to pay the charity; and those who fulfil their obligations when they make an agreement; and the patient during times of calamity, in hardships and during holy war; it is they who have proved true to their word; it is they who are the pious.
ALLAH said in Sura An-Nisa, Ayat 162
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
لَّـٰكِنِ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَالْمُقِيمِينَ الصَّلَاةَ ۚ وَالْمُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أُولَـٰئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
ہاں جو اُن میں علم کے پکے اور ایمان والے ہیں وہ ایمان لاتے ہیں اس پر جو اے محبوب تمہاری طرف اُترا اور جو تم سے پہلے اُترا اور نماز قائم رکھنے والے اور زکوٰة دینے والے اور اللہ اور قیامت پر ایمان لانے والے ایسوں کو عنقریب ہم بڑا ثواب دیں گے
But those among them who are firm in knowledge and who have faith, believe in what is sent down upon you [O dear Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him], and what was sent down before you, and those who keep the prayer established and those who pay the charity, and those who believe in ALLAH and the Last Day; to such, We shall soon bestow a great reward.
The recipients of Zakat, according to Quran are as follows.ALLAH said in Sura At-Tawbah, Ayat 60
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّـهِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
زکوٰة تو انہیں لوگوں کے لیے ہے محتاج اور نرے نادار اور جو اسے تحصیل کرکے لائیں اور جن کے دلوں کو اسلام سے الفت دی جائے اور گردنیں چھڑانے میں اور قرضداروں کو اور اللہ کی راہ میں اور مسافر کو، یہ ٹھہرایا ہوا ہے اللہ کا، اور اللہ علم و حکمت والا ہے
The obligatory charity* is only for the destitute and the really needy, and those who collect it, and for those in whose hearts the love of Islam needs to be instilled**, and to free slaves, and to debtors, and in ALLAH's cause***, and to the traveller; this is decreed by ALLAH; and ALLAH is All Knowing, Wise. (* This applies only to Zakat. ** The new convert to Islam. *** To the fighter having no provisions for holy war.)
ALLAH said in Sura Al-i-Imran, Ayat 180
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّـهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ وَلِلَّـهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
اور جو بخل کرتے ہیں اس چیز میں جو اللہ نے انہیں اپنے فضل سے دی ہرگز اسے اپنے لئے اچھا نہ سمجھیں بلکہ وہ ان کے لئے برا ہے، عنقریب وہ جس میں بخل کیا تھا قیامت کے دن ان کے گلے کا طوق ہوگا اور اللہ ہی وارث ہے آسمانوں اور زمین کا اور اللہ تمہارے کاموں سے خبردار ہے
And never must those who act miserly upon what ALLAH has bestowed upon them of His grace, think that it is good for them; in fact it is harmful for them; soon what they had withheld will be collars round their necks on the Day of Resurrection; and ALLAH only is the Inheritor (Owner) of the heavens and the earth; and ALLAH is Well Aware of what you do.
In the view of Hadith
Zakat as a Pillar of Islam
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him): Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) said
Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but ALLAH and Muhammad is ALLAH's Messenger.
To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .
To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Iman, Hadith Number 8, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
Entry pass for Heaven
Narrated Abu Ayyub (ALLAH Bless With Him) that a man came to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and said:
Direct me to a deed which draws me near to Paradise and takes me away from the Fire (of Hell). Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: You worship ALLAH and never associate anything with Him, establish prayer, and pay Zakat, and do good to your kin. When he turned his back, the Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) remarked: If he adheres to what he has been ordered to do, he would enter Paradise.
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al-Iman, Hadith Number 14, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
Those who not give Zakat
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him): Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) 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 baldheaded 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 (Peace Be Upon Him) recited the holy verses:-- 'Let not those who withhold . . .' (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Zakat, Hadith Number 1403, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
Obligation of Zakat
Zakat is obligatory upon a person if :
- He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim.
- He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (Clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs).
- It should be possessed for a complete lunar year.
- It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc.
Nisab of Zakat
Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab.The Nisaab as fixed by Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is as follows:
Gold 7.50 Tolas (87.48 Grams),Silver 52.50 Tolas (612.36 Grams).
Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent amount of Gold or Silver. Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such as gold, silver, currency etc. and if it is equal to or in excess of the minimum Nisaab as specified in the above, the Zakat is due at the rate of 2.5%.The payment of Zakat is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is possessed for a full Islamic year. If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakat then must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end of the year.
Gold 7.50 Tolas (87.48 Grams),Silver 52.50 Tolas (612.36 Grams).
Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent amount of Gold or Silver. Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such as gold, silver, currency etc. and if it is equal to or in excess of the minimum Nisaab as specified in the above, the Zakat is due at the rate of 2.5%.The payment of Zakat is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is possessed for a full Islamic year. If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakat then must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end of the year.
Types of Wealth on Which Zakat is Imposed
- Gold and silver, in any form.
- Cash, bank notes, stocks, bonds etc.
- Merchandise for business, equal to the value of Nisaab.
- Live stock.
- On income derived from rental business.
Types of Wealth on Which Zakat is Not Imposed
- On any metals other than gold or silver.
- Fixtures and fittings of a shop, car, trucks or any delivery vehicle etc., which is used in running business.
- Diamonds, pearls, other precious or semi precious stones which are for personal use.
- There is no Zakat on personal residence, household furniture, pots and pan, personal clothing, whether they are in use or not.
- There is no Zakat on a person whose liabilities exceed or equal his assets. (Home Mortgage in this country is not to be counted as personal liability for the Zakat purpose).
Calculation of Zakat
- To calculate Zakat on jewelry etc. one must first determine the gold or silver content and then calculate the Zakat according to current market price.
- If the Gold possessed is less than 87.48 grams or if silver possessed is less then 612.36 grams, but the value of both combined is equal to or exceeds the Nisaab of either Gold or Silver, the Zakat will be due.
- In the event of an article not being of pure gold or pure silver, but containing a mixture of other metals and the gold or silver content is more than the other metal, it will be regarded as gold or silver and Zakat will be due. But in the case where other metal/s is of greater quantity than either gold or silver, Zakat will not be due on this article.
- For stocks (Shares held in a company), Zakat is calculated based upon the current market value. As machinery, land, fixtures and fittings, furniture, buildings etc. are exempt from Zakat, one is allowed to subtract these from the total asset. This could be obtained from annual reports. For example, if one has shares worth $1000 and machinery, land etc., are worth 5% of the total asset, then deduct $50 for these assets, afterwards deduct the liabilities of the company proportionately to the percentage of shares held. Zakat must be calculated on the balance.
When Zakat is Due ?
- Passage of One Lunar Year:
- Deduction of Debts:
If the owner had enough money to satisfy the nisab at the beginning of the year, then the money increased (In profits, salaries, inheritance, grants...etc.), the owner needs to add the increase to the nisab amount owned at the beginning of the year; then pay Zakat, 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. (There are small differences in the fiqh schools here)
Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.
Disbursement of Zakat
There are eight categories of people (Asnaf) who qualify to receive zakat funds, according to the Qu'ran:
- Those living in absolute poverty (Fughara)
- Those who cannot meet their basic needs (Al-Masakin)
- The zakat collectors themselves (Al-Amiliyn)
- People whom one is attempting to persuade, who might convert to Islam (Al-Muallaf Ghullubahum)
- People whom one is attempting to free from slavery or bondage (Fi Al-Riqab)
- Those who have incurred overwhelming debts while attempting to satisfy their basic needs (Al-Gharmin)
- Those fighting for a religious cause (Fi Sabillillah)
- Travelers in need (Ibnu Al-Sabil)
Persons to Whom Zakat Cannot be Given
- Zakat cannot be given to the descendants of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
- Zakat cannot be given to parents and grandparents. In the same manner one's children and grandchildren cannot be given Zakat. A husband and wife cannot give Zakat to each other.
- Zakat contributions cannot be given to such institutions or organizations who do not give the rightful recipients possession of Zakat, but instead use Zakat funds for constructions, investment or salaries.
- Muslim scholars disagree whether the poor that qualify should include non-Muslims. Some state that Zakat may be paid to non-Muslims, but only after the needs of Muslims have been met.
Benefits of Zakat
There are many major benefits of giving Zakat:
- It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of ALLAH and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands.
- Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.
- Zakat payer pays his dues to ALLAH as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from ALLAH out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to ALLAH.
- Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor.
- Gain the pleasure of ALLAH.
- Increase in wealth and protection from losses.
- ALLAH's forgiveness and blessings.
- Protection from the wrath of ALLAH and from a bad death.
- A shelter on the Day of Judgment;
