Two Messages Concerning Zakat

EsinIslam Ramadan

Ramadan Explorer

Praise only be to Allah, and peace and blessings be on his last Prophet, his family and his companions, and so:

The reason behind writing this letter is the advising and reminding about the duty of Zakat, which was neglected by many of Muslims who don't pay it according to the legalized way despite its importance, and being one of the five pillars of Islam and a vital element in this religion, as the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said: "Islam is based on the following five principles:

1- To bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle.
2- To perform the compulsory congregational prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3- To pay Zakat. (i.e. Obligatory Charity).
4- To fast during the month of Ramadan.(Agreed on its correctness)
5- To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca).
[Agreed upon]

«بُني الإسلام على خمس: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمداً رسول الله، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، وصوم رمضان، وحج البيت»

And the obligation of Zakat on Muslims is one of the clearest good points of Islam that shows its eagerness about its believers, because of its plenty benefits, and the desperate need of poor Muslims to it.

From its benefits:

Maintaining the intimacy bonds between the rich and the poor because the souls are fond of who helps them (gives charity to them).

Purifying and sanctifying the soul are also from its benefits, and it keeps it away from the temper of miserliness and stinginess, as the Holy Qur'an pointed to that meaning in this verse: "Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase" [Al Tawba 9:103]

{خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا}

Transliteration: Khudh Min 'Amwālihim Şadaqatan Tuţahhiruhum Wa Tuzakkīhim Bihā Wa Şalli Alayhim 'Inna Şalātaka Sakanun Lahum Wa Allāhu Samīun Alīmun

Also, The Muslim will get familiarized with being openhandedness, generosity and kindliness on the needy.

And bringing blessings, increasing and compensation from God, as Allah, the Exalted says: "But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers." [Saba' 34:39]

{وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ}

And what the Prophet said in the Hadith: "Allah, the Exalted says, Spend, O son of Adam, you will also be spent upon". [Muslim]

«قال الله تبارك وتعالى: يا ابن آدم، أنفق أنفق عليك»

And so on from the great benefits.

And the grievous chastisement to the one who was stingy or negligent was mentioned, in this verse: "And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment. (35) The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard." [Al Tawba 9: 34-35]

{... وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (34) يَوْمَ يُحْمَى عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَى بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ هَـذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُون}

Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Yaknizūna Adh-Dhahaba Wa Al-Fiđđata Wa Lā Yunfiqūnahā Fī Sabīli Allāhi Fabashshirhum Biadhābin 'Alīmin (34) Yawma Yuĥmá Alayhā Fī Nāri Jahannama Fatukwá Bihā Jibāhuhum Wa Junūbuhum Wa Žuhūruhum Hādhā Mā Kanaztum Li'nfusikum Fadhūqū Mā Kuntum Taknizūna

As every wealth from which Zakat is not paid from, will be a treasure by which his owner will be tortured on the Day of Resurrection, and that meaning was mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him as he said: "If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell." [Muslim]

«ما من صاحب ذهب ولا فضة، لا يؤدي منها حقها، إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة، صفحت له صفائح من نار، فأحمي عليها في نار جهنم، فيكوى بها جنبه وجبينه وظهره، كلما بردت أعيدت له، في يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة، حتى يقضى بين العباد فيرى سبيله، إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار»

Then the Prophet mentioned the owner of the camels, the cows, and the sheep who don't pay what is due on him and said that he will be tortured by them on the Day of Resurrection.

And it was narrated by Al Bukhari that the Prophet said: "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and doesn't pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure' ".

«من آتاه الله مالا فلم يؤد زكاته مثل له ماله شجاعا أقرع، له زبيبتان، يطوقه يوم القيامة ، يأخذ بلهزمتيه - يعني بشدقيه - يقول: أنا مالك أنا كنزك»

Then the Prophet recited the holy verses: "And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection" [Al 'Imran 3:180]

{وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ}

Transliteration: Wa Lā Yaĥsabanna Al-Ladhīna Yabkhalūna Bimā 'Ātāhumu Allāhu Min Fađlihi Huwa Khayrāan Lahum Bal Huwa Sharrun Lahum Sayuţawwaqūna Mā Bakhilū Bihi Yawma Al-Qiyāmati

And Zakat must be paid in four different categories: The yield of the soil as grains and fruits (agricultural products), the cattle (animal) products, gold and silver, and goods of trade and commerce.

And each category has a fixed minimum amount (Nisab) and below it Zakat isn't obligated.

Nisab of the grains and fruits (Agricultural produce):

Five Awsuq, and Al Wasaq: Sixty Sa' according to the Prophet's -peace and blessings be upon him Sa', so Nisab according to the Prophet's Sa' of the dates, raisins, wheat, rice and grains like that: three hundred Sa' according to the Prophet's Sa', which is equal to four handfuls of a regular person if his hands are fleshy with both hands.

And the obligated here is the one-tenth (1/10) if the palm trees and the plants are irrigated without expenses, depending on rain water, rivers, or headsprings etc.

But if they are irrigated using equipment and expenses like waterwheels and the machines which lift pump the water etc., so the obligated Zakat is the half of the one-tenth, as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Allah's Apostle.

Nisab of (livestock) cattle as camels, cows, and sheep:

There are many Hadith narrated by Allah's Apostle explaining this point, and who wants to know about it can ask the jurists for their opinions about it, and had not been for shortening , we would have explained it for the complete benefit.

Nisab of the silver:

One hundred and forty mithkal, and its amount in Saudi Arabia's Dirhams is: Fifty six Riyal.

Nisab of Gold:

Twenty Mithkal and its amount in Saudi Arabia's pounds: eleven pounds and three-seventh of a pound, and in Grams it will be ninety two Grams.

And the obligation here is the quarter of the tenth for whoever reached the Nisab concerning one of them or both of them and a lunar year has passed. And the profit depends on the estate of source, so it is not necessary to wait for a lunar year to pass. It is also the case concerning the products of the cattle that depend on its source, so it doesn't need a new year if its source was a Nisab.

And concerning the gold and silver, the paper currencies that people are dealing with nowadays, whether they are termed Dirhams, Dinars, Dollars, or any other names, if their amount reached Al Nisab of silver or gold and one lunar year has passed on it Zakat will be due on them.

And the women gold and silver jewelries belong to the category of paper currencies, especially if they reached Nisab, and a complete year has passed so Zakat is obligated, even if they were intended to be used or lent according to the most accurate definition of the jurists, because of the generalization in the Prophet's -peace and blessings be upon him Hadith: "If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him;..." to the end of the Hadith previously mentioned.

And it was narrated by Om Salama may God be pleased with her, that she was wearing gold jewelries, and said: "O Messenger of God, Is it a treasure?" so the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him replied: "What was Obligated for Zakah must be done so it is not a treasure" [Ibn Al Baz]

«عن أم سلمة رضي الله عنهاأنهاكانتتلبس أوضاحا من ذهب فقالت: يا رسول الله، أكنز هو؟ فقال عليه الصلاة والسلام :مابلغ أن يزكى فزكي فليس بكنز»

And many other Hadith with the same meaning

Concerning the merchandise: They are the goods ready for trade and commerce, their values are estimated at the end of the year and a quarter of tenth is taken from their value, whether their value is equal, lower or higher than its price.

And it includes: lands intended to be sold, buildings (real estates), vehicles, equipment which lift the water, and so on of the types of the goods which are intended to be sold.

About buildings which are intended to be rented not sold, Zakat is paid on the rent if the year has passed, but Zakat isn't paid on the building itself, because they were not intended be sold, and so is the case for the private vehicles and taxis if they were not intended be sold, but their owner bought it to use it.

And if the owner of the taxi or any other category had money and reached Nisab, he should pay Zakat, if the year passed, whether he intended it for spending, marriage, buying a property, paying a debt or anything like that, because of the generalization of the legalized proofs concerning the obligation of Zakat in these situations.

And the trusted opinion of the jurists: That the debt doesn't prevent Al Zakat because of what we said in advance.

And also Zakat is obligated on the money of the orphans and the crazies if they reached Nisab and a whole year passed on it, and those who in charge of them should pay it on their behalf if a year has passed, because of the generalization of the proofs, like what the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him said in the Hadith of Mu'adh when the prophet sent him to Yemen: "Then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakah obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor" [Narrated by Ibn Magah and corrected by Al Albany]

«إن الله افترض عليهم صدقة في أموالهم، تؤخذ من أغنيائهم وترد في فقرائهم»

And Zakat is God's right so discrimination to the people who don't deserve it should not be allowed. Also, it should not be allowed for anyone to gain a benefit, keep away harm, preserve his money or push away evil by the money of Zakat, but the Muslim should spend Zakat on the people who deserve it, only because they are its deservers and not for any other reason, and the Muslim should pay it gladly and with sincerity to Allah, so he would fulfill his duty and deserve the great reward.

God explained the types of recipients of Zakat in the Holy Qur'an and says: "Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise." [Al Tawba 9: 60]

{إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ}

Transliteration: 'Innamā Aş-Şadaqātu Lilfuqarā'i Wa Al-Masākīni Wa Al-Āmilīna Alayhā Wa Al-Mu'uallafati Qulūbuhum Wa Fī Ar-Riqābi Wa Al-Ghārimīna Wa Fī Sabīli Allāhi Wa Aibni As-Sabīli Farīđatan Mina Allāhi Wa Allāhu Alīmun Ĥakīmun

And ending this great verse by these two great names is a warning from God the Exalted to his servants that he the Exalted is the All Knowing about his servant's conditions; who of them deserves the charity and who doesn't, and he is the wise in his legislation and fate, as he puts everything in its proper place, even if He hides some of His wisdom secrets on some people, so that they become ascertain about His legislation, and submit to His judgment.

May God lead us and the Muslims towards knowing His religion, honesty in dealing with Him, competing in doing what pleases Him, and be pardoned from His wrath, He is the All Hearing, and Nigh.

And peace and blessings be upon his servant and messenger Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

His Eminence Al Sheikh: Abd Al Aziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Baz- mercy be upon him.

The General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A letter concerning Zakat and its benefits
Written by His Eminence Al Sheikh Muhammad B. Saleh Al'othaimeen- mercy be upon him.

Zakat is one of the duties of Islam and the most important pillar after the two testimonies and praying. Its obligation was proved in the Holy Qur'an, the Prophet's -peace and blessings be upon him Sunnah, and the consensus of all the Muslims, so whoever denies its obligation becomes a disbeliever and apostatized from Islam, and should repent, otherwise he must be killed, and who was stingy and didn't pay it or lowered in its amount will be from the unjust, who deserves God's punishment. God the Exalted says "And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] acquainted." [Al 'Imran 3:180]

{وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ}

Transliteration: Wa Lā Yaĥsabanna Al-Ladhīna Yabkhalūna Bimā 'Ātāhumu Allāhu Min Fađlihi Huwa Khayrāan Lahum Bal Huwa Sharrun Lahum Sayuţawwaqūna Mā Bakhilū Bihi Yawma Al-Qiyāmati

And in Sahih Al Bukhari narrated by Aby Huraira that Allah's Apostle -peace and blessings be upon him said: "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and doesn't pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure' ''[Al Bukhari]

«من آتاه الله مالا فلم يؤد زكاته مثل له ماله شجاعا أقرع، له زبيبتان، يطوقه يوم القيامة ، يأخذ بلهزمتيه - يعني بشدقيه - يقول: أنا مالك أنا كنزك»

God the Exalted says: " And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment (35) The Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and seared therewith will be their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, [it will be said], "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard." [Al Tawba 9: 34-35]

{... وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (34) يَوْمَ يُحْمَى عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَى بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ هَـذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُون}

Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Yaknizūna Adh-Dhahaba Wa Al-Fiđđata Wa Lā Yunfiqūnahā Fī Sabīli Allāhi Fabashshirhum Biadhābin 'Alīmin (34) Yawma Yuĥmá Alayhā Fī Nāri Jahannama Fatukwá Bihā Jibāhuhum Wa Junūbuhum Wa Žuhūruhum Hādhā Mā Kanaztum Li'nfusikum Fadhūqū Mā Kuntum Taknizūna

And in Sahih Muslim, narrated by Aby Huraira that Allah's Apostle said: "If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell."

«ما من صاحب ذهب ولا فضة، لا يؤدي منها حقها، إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة، صفحت له صفائح من نار، فأحمي عليها في نار جهنم، فيكوى بها جنبه وجبينه وظهره، كلما بردت أعيدت له، في يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة، حتى يقضى بين العباد فيرى سبيله، إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار»

The benefits of Zakat:

Zakat has many religious, moral, and social benefits, and we mention from them what follows :

From the religious benefits:

1- It is a fulfillment of one of Islam duties, on which the happiness of The Muslim depends in the world and the afterworld.

2- It approaches between the servant and his God and increases his faith like the other religious duties.

3- The great reward as a consequence of doing it, God says: "Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever." [Al Baqarah 2:276]

{يَمْحَقُ اللّهُ الْرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ}

Transliteration: Yamĥaqu Allāhu Ar-Ribā Wa Yurbī Aş-Şadaqāti

also God says: "And whatever you give for Interest [i.e., advantage] to increase within the wealth of people will not Increase with Allah. But what you give in zakah, desiring the Countenance of Allah – those are the multipliers." [Ar Rum 30:39]

{وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن رِّباً لِّيَرْبُوَ فِي أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُو عِندَ اللَّهِ وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُضْعِفُونَ}

Transliteration: Wa Mā 'Ātaytum Min Ribāan Liyarbuwā Fī 'Amwāli An-Nāsi Falā Yarbū Inda Allāhi Wa Mā 'Ātaytum Min Zakāatin Turīdūna Wajha Allāhi Fa'ūlā'ika Humu Al-Muđifūna

And the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him said: "If one gives a charity of what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money - Allah accepts only the honestly earned money - Allah takes it in His right (hand) then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you bringing up his baby horse, till it becomes as big as a mountain." [Al Bukhari – Muslim]

«من تصدق بعدل تمرة - أي ما يعادل تمرة - من كسب طيب، ولا يقبل الله إلا الطيب، فإن الله يأخذها بيمينه ثم يربيها لصاحبه كما يربي أحدكم فلوه حتى تكون مثل الجبل»

4- God erases the sins by Zakat, as what Allah's Apostle said: "Charity extinguishes (i.e., erases) the sins as water extinguishes fire" [Narrated by Al Turmudhi and corrected by Al Albany], and charity here means Zakat and the volunteering charity.

«والصدقة تطفىء الخطيئة كما يطفىء الماء النار»

From the moral benefits:

1- It allows the one who pays it to join the group of the generous people who are characterized by generosity and forgiving.

2- It requires that who pay it should have mercy and kindliness on his needy brothers, and God will have mercy on the merciful ones.

3- According to what is seen, sacrificing oneself whether financially or physically for Muslims, delights and comforts the soul, and the person who does that will be beloved, because of the benefits that he offers to his companions.

4- Paying Zakat purifies the morals from stinginess and miserliness, as Allah the Exalted says: "Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase" [Al Tawba 9:103]

{خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا}

Transliteration: Khudh Min 'Amwālihim Şadaqatan Tuţahhiruhum Wa Tuzakkīhim Bihā Wa Şalli Alayhim 'Inna Şalātaka Sakanun Lahum Wa Allāhu Samīun Alīmun

From its social benefits:

1- Satisfying the needs of the poor who are the greatest majority in most of the countries.

2- Strengthening the Muslims and improving their conditions. Therefore, one of Zakat directions is fighting (Jihad) in the path of Allah, as we will mention later if God wills.

3- Clearing all the animosity and hatred which exist in the souls of the poor and needy, as if the poor saw the rich's enjoyment by their wealth while they don't benefit from it, neither much nor little, they might have enmity and animosity on the rich as they didn't give them their rights, and didn't satisfy their needs. So if the rich people gave them an amount of money at the beginning of every year, all these feelings will vanish and the intimacy and harmony will occur.

4- Increasing the amount and blessings of the wealth, as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him: "Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity)" [Muslim]

«ما نقصت صدقة من مال»

Which means: If the charity decreased the amount of money (numerically), it will not decrease its blessings and amount in the future and God recompenses for it and bless the person's money.

5- Expanding and broadening the money, as if an amount of the money is spent its circle will be broadened and many people will benefit from it, unlike if it was circulated among the rich and the poor don't get anything.

So, all these benefits indicate that Zakat is a must for the reconciliation of the individual and society. And glory to God the All Knowing and the Wise.

And Zakat is obligated in certain wealth; like Gold and silver if they reach Nisab, which is eleven and three seventh (3/7) Saudian pounds for gold, and concerning the silver it is fifty-six Saudi Ryal of silver or its equivalent in the paper currencies, and the obligation here is the quarter of the tenth, there is no difference if the gold and silver is coins, raw, or jewelries, so is the case in women's jewelries if they reached Nisab even if she wears or lends it, because of the generality of evidences of the obligation Zakat on gold and silver without any details (explanation), also there are many Hadith that obligated Zakat on the jewelries even if they were wore, like what was narrated by Abdullah Ibn 'Amr Ibn Al 'As that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah with her daughter, on the daughter's wrist were two heavy gold bracelets. The Messenger asked her: "Do you pay Zakat on this? She replied: "No" The Messenger said: "Would it please you that Allah will encircle you with two bracelets of fire?" She took them off and threw them down in front of the Messenger and said: "They are for Allah and his Messenger".

«أن امرأة أتت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ومعها ابنة لها وفي يد ابنتها مسكتان غليظتان من ذهب فقال لها أتعطين زكاة هذا قالت لا قال أيسرك أن يسورك الله بهما يوم القيامة سوارين من نار قال فخلعتهما فألقتهما إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وقالت هما لله عز وجل ولرسوله»

He said in Bologh Al Maram: It was narrated by the three and it has a strong source, and because it's more specific it has the priority.

Also Zakat is obligated on Goods and merchandise that are intended for trade as real estates, vehicles, cattle, textiles and other categories of wealth, and the obligation here is quarter of the tenth, so their values are estimated at the end of the year and a quarter of the tenth is paid, whether this value is lower, higher or equal to the price of buying. But there is no Zakat on what he intended to use or rent from the real estates, vehicles or equipment, as the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him said: "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim" [Al Bukhari- Muslim],

«ليس على المسلم في عبده ولا فرسه صدقة»

But Zakat must be paid on the rent if a complete year has passed, also on gold and silver because of what has been mentioned before.

Recipients of Zakat:

Recipients of Zakat are the parties that are given Zakat and Allah has been merciful to us in that he himself spelled out the people eligible to receive Zakat, he says:"Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise." [Al Tawba 9:60]

{إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ}

Transliteration: 'Innamā Aş-Şadaqātu Lilfuqarā'i Wa Al-Masākīni Wa Al-Āmilīna Alayhā Wa Al-Mu'uallafati Qulūbuhum Wa Fī Ar-Riqābi Wa Al-Ghārimīna Wa Fī Sabīli Allāhi Wa Aibni As-Sabīli Farīđatan Mina Allāhi Wa Allāhu Alīmun Ĥakīmun

They are eight categories:

First, The very poor (Al Fuquaraa), and they are the people whose income, salaries, or whatever material goods they have, fall short of the cost of living (below the half) in a given environment and economy. The poor and the needy should be given what will suffice them and their families for one full year.

Second, The needy (Al Masakin), and they are the people whose income, salaries, or whatever material goods they have, fall short of the cost of living (from the half and more) in a given environment and economy. But they can't find what will suffice them for a whole year, so they should be given what will suffice them and their families for the rest of the year. And if someone doesn't have money but has another source from a profession, salary, or investment which suffices him he can't take from Zakat according to what the Prophet's -peace and blessings be upon him said: "the wealthy or an able person who can work has no share in Zakat". [Albany]

«لا حظ فيها لغني ولا لقوي مكتسب»

Third, those who administer the Zakat department (Al 'Amilin 'Aliha), who are assigned by the president of the country for collecting, bookkeeping, paying it to the people eligible for Zakat, and so on of administrating it , These people should receive Zakat as compensation for their work, even if they are wealthy.

Fourth, those whose hearts are to be won (Al Mu'alaft Kolobohom), and they are the Chieftain whose faith is not strong, so they are given Zakat to strengthen their faith, so they would become callers for Islam and a good model.

And what if a person has a weak faith, but he is just an ordinary person and not a Chieftain, can he be given from Zakat to strengthen his faith?

Some scholars think that he must be given because the religion's benefit is more important than the physical benefit, so if he is poor he is given that money to nourish his body, as nourishing his heart with faith is of greater benefit, but other scholars think that he must be given as the benefit from his faith is an individual benefit.

Fifth, Ransoming of captives (Fi Al Rikab), which included buying the slaves from the money of Zakat and letting them free, and helping the bonds people.

Sixth, those in debt (Al Gharimin), and they are whoever have debt and have no money to pay it back. They sould be given from Zakat to help them pay their debts, whether the amount is large or small.... And if they were rich from the side of their basic needs, so if a man has a source of money satisfying his and his family basic needs but he has a debt which he can't pay it back, so he should be given from Zakat to pay his debt, and it is not allowed for the creditor to exempt the poor debtor and subtract the amount of the debt from his Zakat.

The scholars varied on their opinion concerning if the debtor is a father or a son, can he be given from Zakat to repay his debt? But the right is that he might do this .

If the person who pays Zakat knows that the debtor can't repay his debt, it is allowed that the goes to the creditor and pays him the debt (even if the debtor didn't know about it).

Seventh, (Fi Sabil Allah), which is financing a Jihad effort in the path of Allah, as the fighters are given from Zakat what is enough for their Jihad, from which arms are bought for that purpose .

Eighth, the passerby (Ibn Al Sabil), who is the traveler in a strange land, and ran out of money. So he is given from Zakat, enough money to go back to his country.

These are the people who deserve Zakat whom God had mentioned them in the Holy Qur'an, and said that He ordained it based on knowledge and Wisdom and God is the All Knowing and Wise.

And it is not allowed to be spent on building mosques and maintaining roads, because God named its deservers one by one, so this excludes anyone other than these people. If we studied these categories we will find that some of them need Zakat for themselves and others are needed by the Muslims, so we can conclude the great wisdom in obligating Zakat which is building a good and equivalent society as much as possible. Islam didn't neglect the wealth and the benefits of the money and didn't give the freedom to the stingy and miserly souls to practice their stinginess and miserliness, but Islam is the greatest guidance to good and reformer of nations.

And praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.

A message concerning the obligatory charity after Ramadan (Zakat Ul Fitr)

Zakat Ul Fitr has been obligated by Allah's Apostle after the end of the fasting of Ramadan. Abdullah Ibn 'Umar may God be pleased with them both said: "Allah's Apostle -peace and blessings be upon him made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, young or old, to pay Zakat Ul Fitr" [Narrated by Muslim]

«أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرض زكاة الفطر من رمضان على كل نفس من المسلمين، حر أو عبد. أو رجل أو امرأة . صغير أو كبير . صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير»

Which is a sa' from the food that they eat, narrated by Abu Said Al Khudri: "In the life-time of Allah's Apostle -peace and blessings be upon him, we used to give one sa' of food (edible things) as sadaqat-ul-fitr (to the poor). Our food used to be either of barely, raisins (dried grapes), cottage cheese or dates." [Al Bukhari]

«كنا نخرج في عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم الفطر صاعا من طعام. وقال أبو سعيد : وكان طعامنا الشعير والزبيب ، والأقط والتمر»

But the Dirhams, furnishing, clothes, cattle's food, properties and others are not allowed because this contradicts the orders of the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him and he said: "If anybody introduces an action which isn't authenticated, it is to be rejected" [Muslim]

«من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد»

And the amount of Sa' is two kilos and forty grams from a good food grains, this is the amount that the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him had estimated for Zakat Ul Fitr.

And Zakat Ul Fitr must be paid before the feast prayer, and it's better to pay it on the day of the feast before the prayer, it is allowed to be paid it before the feast by one or two days only but not after the feast's prayer, because of the Hadith of Ibn 'Abbas may God be pleased with them both: "Allah's Apostle said that the obligation of Zakat Ul Fitr purifies the fasting from vain, obscenity and it supports the needy, so whoever gives it before the prayer will have it accepted as Zakat, while who gives it after the prayer (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity." [Narrated by Abu Dawood-Ibn Magah and declared Hasan by Al Albani]

«فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم زكاة الفطر طهرة للصائم من اللغو والرفث وطعمة للمساكين فمن أداها قبل الصلاة فهي زكاة مقبولة ومن أداها بعد الصلاة فهي صدقة من الصدقات»

But if he didn't know that this day is the 'Eid except after the prayer or at that time he was in a country where there isn't a deserver, then he is allowed to pay it after the prayer whenever he can.

And God is the All Knowing, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his companions and his family.

Translated by Wathakker.info website
 

EsinIslam Ramadan Team

©  EsinIslam.Com

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