Zakat in Islam

Q: Outline the practice of almsgiving (Zakat) in Islam.

Zakah is the third pillar of Islam. It became obligatory in the second year of Hijra. It is an act of worship which benefits humankind. Its significance can be judged by the fact it is mentioned 32 times in Quran. Allah says, “Establish prayer and give Zakah.” It is mandatory for every free, adult and sane Muslim who possesses the prescribed amount of money known as Nisab Allah says, “Take Zakah from their property in order to purify and sanctify them.”

Zakah means purification. It is obligatory for a Muslim whose wealth is equal to or more than the Nisab, must offer a portion of it to the deserving poor and needy Muslims of the community to circulate the wealth in society. “Pay Zakah out of your property, for truly it is a purifier which purifies you.” Zakah is paid from halal income. There are numerous Zakah conditions as well. Zakah is payable on the wealth of a believer that is kept in his possession for one year without interruption. 

The Nisab of Zakah is computed at 2.5%. Zakah, on the contrary, does not apply to buildings, shops or total capital, though it applies to the savings they generate from its income. Zakah does not apply to precious stones, immovable property and machinery.

There is different Nisaab for different commodities. If a person has 87.48 grams of Gold, the rate is 2.5%. If a person has 612.32 gm of Silver, he must give 2.5% of it as charity. It is the same (612 32g) for cash as for Silver. For 40 -120 cattle/sheep, the rate of Zakat is a 1-year-old goat, above 120 sheep, 1 goat for every hundred. Nisab of 30 to 39 (cow or bull), one calf of 1 year and for 40 – 59, it is 2 years old calf. For 5 – 9 camels, it is 1 goat. For 15 – 19 camels, 3 goats. For 24 or more, 1 goat for every 5 camels. The rate of naturally irrigated land is one-tenth of produce, and for artificially irrigated land is one-twentieth of produce. For mining, it is one-fifth of produce. 

Quran enlists the Muslims who can receive Zakat, “Alms (Zakat) are for the poor and the needy, and those appointed by the State to collect (the charity); for those whose hearts have been reconciled (to Islam), for those in bondage and in debt, in the cause of god, and for the wayfarer.” (9:60, al-Tawbah) 

Zakat is for the poor and needy people who do not have enough money to support themselves, the needy people (Masakeen) who cannot meet their basic needs and are forced to beg for it. Collectors of the state who operate the institution of almsgiving collect money from concerned people and distribute it to the deserving. 

Further, Zakat can be spent on prisoners of war and slaves for freedom. Those who are rich in their home country but poor in a foreign country due to losses. New converts to reconcile their hearts, those who have incurred debts to meet their essential needs and those who are related to the services of Islam. While, Zakat cannot be spent on well-to-do Muslims, non-Muslims, one’s husband or wife, one’s parents’ children, grandchildren and the descendants of the Prophet SAW.

According to Shariah recipient of Zakat should be made the owner of it, therefore, it cannot be spent on coffins or burial expenditures or for the payment of a deceased person’s death, or on the construction of a mosque, school, bridge, or other public utility because in accordance to Islamic teachings, none of these cases, the condition of ownership of the Zakat money is being fulfilled.

Q: Why are Muslims encouraged to pay Sadaqa during Eid-al-Fitr?

It is a wajib duty of Muslims to pay Sadaqa-tul-Fitr as long as they have the means to do so. The head of the family is commanded to pay Sadaqa-ul-Fitr for himself and other family members. Umar R.A reported, “Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) prescribed the payment of Zakat-al-Fitr of Ramadhan for people, for every freeman, or slave, male and female among the Muslims, one sa’ of dried dates, or one sa’ of barley.”

It is about 1.63 kg of wheat or its price in the market. It is ordered to pay before Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a means to cover up for the error(s) made during Ramadhan. It is also a means to support needy people. On the other side, the wisdom behind such a small amount of this charity is to aid deserving people so that they can celebrate the festival along with other Muslims equally.