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Definition of Zakat Zakat linguistically means purity and increase. In the Shariah terminology, it means to give a fixed amount of wealth to the needy Muslims, as stipulated in the Qur'an, thereby making them the owners of the given wealth.
Obligation of Zakat Zakat is one of the main fundamentals of Islam. Its obligation is proven from the Holy Qur'an, sayings of the Messenger of Allah SAW and the consensus of the Muslim Ummah. 2 Allah Most High says in the Qur'an:
"Establish Salat, pay Zakat, and bow your heads with those who bow in worship.”
Virtues of Zakat
Allah says:
“Those who spend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
Benefits of Zakat Zakat should be paid with the intention of gaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty. It should be irrelevant whether one gains any worldly benefit or
otherwise.
1. There will be and increase and Barakah in one’s wealth. Allah Most High says in the Qur’an:
“Allah destroys Riba (interest) and increases charities.”
2. Protection from losses.
3. Safety from calamities.
4. Security from misfortunes.
5. Zakat will provide a shelter for the one who pays it, on the day judgement.
Warnings for not Paying Zakat
There are severe warnings and threats of punishment mentioned in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah for those who do not pay their Zakat duly. Allah Most High says in the Qur'an:
"And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah announce unto them a most grievous punishment. On the Day when heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of hell, then with it, they will be branded on their foreheads, their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure, which you gathered for yourselves, taste then the
treasure that you had been hoarding.”
In a Hadith reported by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira RA it states:
"Whosoever is given wealth by Allah and he does not pay Zakat out of his wealth, on the Day of Judgment his wealth will be turned into a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will wrap itself around his neck, bite his jaws and say: I am your wealth. I am your treasure. "
Conditions that Make Zakat Obligatory (fardh)
Zakat is obligatory upon a person in whom the following conditions are met:
1. To be a Muslim. Zakat is not obligatory on a non-believer.
2. Puberty. There is no Zakat on minors.
3. To be sane. Zakat is not obligatory on an insane person when his insanity remains for the full year.
4. To have complete ownership of the wealth. If the wealth is in one's
possession but he is not the owner, then Zakat is not obligatory.
5. Owning wealth that is to the amount of Nisab (amount which makes Zakat obligatory).
6. One's wealth is in excess of his personal needs, e.g. personal clothes,
utensils, household furniture and personal car etc..., as there is no Zakat to be paid on these items.
7. The wealth remains in one's possession for one lunar year (meaning at the beginning and end of the year to be the owner of Nisab although in the interim it may decrease. This will be explained in more detail later).
8. The wealth is of a productive nature, such as cash, merchandise, gold, silver, livestock or agriculture products. Zakat is not obligatory on wealth that is not of a productive nature, even though it may be in excess of one's personal needs i.e. extra furniture, more than one house, etc…
Nisab (Zakat-Payable Amount)
This Nisab is as follows: 612.36 grams of silver or/and 87.48 grams of gold. If one has wealth to the value of the above-mentioned Nisab, then he will be known as Sahib al-Nisab, and Zakat will be obligatory on him at the rate 0: 2.5%.
Gold and Silver
The Nisab for gold is 87.48 grams, and 612.36 grams is the Nisab for silver. If one has gold, which is equal to the value of 87.48 grams or silver to the value of 612.36 grams, and it remains in one's possession for a whole lunar year, then Zakat will be obligatory.
If the gold possessed is not equal to the value of 87.48 grams or silver is not equal to the value of 612.36 grams, but the value of both combined is equal to the value of either the Nisab of gold or silver, then Zakat will be obligatory.
Zakat on Money
1. Zakat is obligatory on cash (money), whether the cash is in hand, at bank, in the form of coins, notes or any other form.
2. If one has in his possession cash equal to the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver, then Zakat will be obligatory (even if one has no gold or silver).
3. Zakat is also obligatory on the income of properties and also on the income gained from partnerships.
4. If one has property on rent, zakaat will be obligatory on the actual income gained and not on the property itself.
5. One important aspect to remember regarding cash is that, Zakat is also obligatory on receivables and debts. A person is obliged to give Zakat on money and/or valuables owing to him, whether it is a loan or a business debt. This ruling applies only when the debtor acknowledges the debt or one has sufficient evidence by which one is able to recover it through the courts.
For example, I had given a loan of £1000 to various people and received it after five years. Now, although Zakat was not obligatory on this sum of £1000 during the course of the five years, at present I will have to take out Zakat for the previous five years. Giving Zakat at once for the previous years at times causes difficulty in paying as well as in calculation. It is therefore advisable and preferable to take out Zakat annually.
Intention
1. It is important to remember that to make an intention is obligatory for the fulfillment of Zakat. When giving Zakat to a needy person, one should make the following intention, "I am giving Zakat". The intention can be made in the heart and it is not necessary to make it verbally. If the intention is not made, then Zakat will not be valid.
2. It is also not necessary to reveal to the needy person that you are giving him Zakat. So much so, if one says to the needy that he is giving him a gift, but has the intention of Zakat, Zakat will be valid.
Those to Whom Zakat Cannot be Given
1. Zakat cannot be given to Banu Hashim (Sayyids).
2. A rich person, ie. one who possesses wealth equal to the value of Nisab, which is in excess of one's personal needs, as explained earlier.
3. One's wife or husband.
4. Zakat cannot be given to parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc... In the same manner, one's children, grandchildren, etc...
5. A Kafir (non-believer).
6. Zakat cannot be given as wages or salary to any person whether he is a worthy recipient or not.
If you require any further information on this subject or any other Islamic matter, please contact the Bilal Academy on 07816 969188 or email fatawa@bilalacademy.org
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