D A I J I W O R L D

August 3, 2012

Come Ramadan and every Muslim around the world would start contemplating and talking about Zakat. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are the testimony to faith, prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

The word Zakat has been mentioned many a time in the holy Quran, and each time with an injunction to execute and hence signifies the very importance of this commitment towards all Muslims. Allah the Almighty says, “My mercy encompasses all things, for those who fear me and give Zakat.” (7:156).

Zakat (means “alms”, and “that which purifies”), is obligatory by all Muslims who have the financial means, above a certain specified minimum, for a full cycle of lunar year (Nisab); must give two and a half percent of their cash balances, and of gold, silver etc., that they possess, to the poor and the needy people. This is the minimum. The more it is given the greater the reward that Allah the Almighty will grant to the giver.

Zakat is considered to be nothing but a section dedicated to the poor and needy people from the funds of riches. Muslims believe that, Zakat not only purifies the wealth and property of the givers but also purifies their hearts from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the hearts of the recipients from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the givers.

Zakat is on cash balances, gold, silver, merchandise, agriculture, cattle and other valuables. The Quran does not provide with unambiguous parameters and on which kind of wealth and how much Zakat to be given. However, the rate of Zakat on various cash balances, assets and commodities can be found in detail, in the books of Fiqah (the Islamic law).

Allah the Almighty promised rewards on good deeds carried out particularly in the holy month of Ramadan; from 70 to 700 percent more than the usual. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said, “This (Ramadan) is the month of compassion”.

Due to the above reasons, Muslims prefer giving Zakat in the holy month of Ramadan; otherwise, Zakat has got to be given after a lunar year’s full cycle is elapsed.

There are two ways of giving Zakat; one, by showing others so that others can also follow the suit; and two, by hiding from others, for Allah knows the hearts.

Allah says, “Do not invalidate your charities with reminders of it or injury as does one who spends his wealth only to be seen by the people” (Quran 2:264).

There are certain prioritizations considered while giving Zakat. The closer the relative, the neighbour, the friends and the others in that group of poor and needy people the more right they deserve in receiving Zakat.

Zakat is believed to be a category of social justice for those whom society deteriorates, and compassion for the vulnerable. The concept is to build the community out of human obligation toward each other, making each person accountable for the wellbeing of every other person.

Faheem Jawaid - Archives: