IqraBismillahir Rahmaner Raheem

Zakat or Obligatory Charity

Zakat or Obligatory Charity

The fourth Pillar of Islam is an obligatory charity. The deep meaning of Zakat is:

Increase, Purification andBlessing or praise

Zakah Zakah is a portion of

one’s wealth that must be given to the poor or to other specified causes.

The word “zakah” comes from the verb meaning to purify or cleanse.

It is the third Pillar of Islam and

is obligatory for all those who are financially able.  

Jurisprudential meaning of ZakatThe jurisprudential meaning of Zakat is the

payment of a portion of wealth from one’s own wealth to a defined category of needy recipients, who have a natural right on one’s wealth when certain conditions of wealth are fulfilled.

It is an obligatory financial worship to AllahIt is an act of worship that purifies the wealth

of a rich Muslim, as well as brings increase to it through the blessings of Allah when the wealthy chooses to share it with the less fortunate or needy.

Why?The secondary objective of Zakat is to

fulfilment of one’s obligation for the society and taking care of them who need one most.

Why?Every year one purifies one’s wealth to obey

Allah and to appreciate Allah’s abundant gifts, which are not just to enjoy selfishly but to share with others. This is to fulfil the obligations under the 4th pillar of Islam.

Why?Paying zakat is Fard

(compulsory). The Qur'an says that

only those who pay zakat are in the "brotherhood of faith“

The Holy Qur'an also says that Zakat purifies assets and creates virtue

Zakât is the major economic means for “establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security. “

The recipients of charity are

The poor, unable to earn his livingThe destitute who is in dire needThe obligatory charity worker, as a wage due to

his/her responsibilities of collecting, accounting, managing, distributing Zakat

Those whose hearts have reconciled but finding difficulties to settle

Those who are in debt and have no ability to pay offThose who are in any kind of obligatory duties of

God but unable to payThe needy travellers.

Zakat for them who really need your help

NeedyIn hardship

Help them who really need

Help them who really need your support

Help them who cannot afford the basics

Help the orphans

ZakahThe Hadith says,

”He who eats and drinks while his brother goes hungry, is not one of us.”

What does this mean?

What are the zakatable assetsGoldSilverCash, bank notesBank balancesWealth loaned to another Any alloy where the quantity or gold or silver

exceeds the other metalInventory of the businessLivestock and food cropsMined wealth

Zakat is calculated according to the lunar year. Counting starts when the amount of money attains the Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakat should be paid). This includes all kinds of Zakat except Zakat on agriculture, fruits, mineral assets and Rikaz (metals found in the earth).

The Lunar Year

Nisab valueGold 87.48g (84.7g – Shafi’i)Silver 612.36g (592.9g – Shafi’i)

The Rate of Zakat to be paid 1/40th of the wealth

or 2.5%

This charity is obligatory upon

every free Muslim, a sane person and an adult

Other charities, beyond the obligatory charity

Beyond and over this obligatory charity Zakat, everyone who can afford voluntary charity is encouraged to give it.

Fulfilling these duties with strong faith in Allah and in excellence are very important part of achieving Taqwa.

Zakat Rules الزكاة أحكام

Muslim Scholars have summarized Zakat Rules as follow :

- Zakat is a obligatory from Allah. - Zakat is a Financial Worship .- Zakat is a Believe .- Zakat is Compulsory to Muslims.- Zakat is Due to an assigned Receivers.

Zakat must be given from halal source- - Zakatable wealth is gained from Good and Halal Sources, but Tax to the Government may come from both Halal & Non-Halal Sources.

In the Quran“ Zakat are for the Poor, and the Needly, andThose Employed to administer the funds, for

those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to Truth , for those in Bondage and in Debt , In the cause of Allah , and the Wayfarer , Ordained by Allah , and Allah is full of knowledge and Wisdom . “

( Al Tawbah -60 )

Help people privatelyHelp just to please AllahNever expect any returnNever feel proud of your

abilityHelp people with respect Honour everyonePoorer people have got

share in your money

Share your joy and happiness with others!

InshaAllha Allah will return you in many folds.

Be happy when others are happy!

Wa akhiru Dawana, Anilhamdulillahi Rabbil-Alameen