If you are Muslim, Pay Zakat!

In the Name of Allah,

Recently, one brother approached me asking about Zakat, and the amount due. I would like to share some info that may guide people in the right direction.

Is Zakat Fard?

Yes. This should be an obvious thing that Zakat is obligatory, but in case, following verses of Quran and hadith prove the obligation.

"You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down." (Quran 2:43)

"Who do not give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and with regard to the Hereafter, they are disbelievers." (Quran 41:7)


Volume 2, Book 24, Number 573:

Narrated Abu Ma'bad,:

(the slave of Ibn Abbas) Allah's Apostle said to Muadh when he sent him to Yemen, "You will go to the people of the Scripture. So, when you reach there, invite them to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle. And if they obey you in that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in each day and night. And if they obey you in that tell them that Allah has made it obligatory on them to pay the Zakat which will be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them. If they obey you in that, then avoid taking the best of their possessions, and be afraid of the curse of an oppressed person because there is no screen between his invocation and Allah."

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 486:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not 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 bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' " Then the Prophet recited the holy verses:-- 'Let not those who withhold . . .' (to the end of the verse). (3.180).

When is Zakat Due ?

1. Passage of One Lunar Year:

Zakat is obligatory after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of it's owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

2. Deduction of Debts:

The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then check if the rest reaches the necessary nisab, then pays Zakat for it.

How much to pay?

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 487:

Narrated Abu Said:

Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "No Zakat is due on property mounting to less than five Uqiyas (of silver), and no Zakat is due on less than five camels, and there is no Zakat on less than five Wasqs." (A Wasqs equals 60 Sa's) & (1 Sa=3 K gms App.)

Zakat is not just charity, but it is more like annual tax that Muslims have to pay on their properties that are not necessity (Cash, Jewelry, etc) excluding the debt owed for next 12 lunar months.

If we try to hide our savings from zakat, we are missing the point.

"And those who hoard up gold and silver, and do not spend them in the wayof God, announce unto them a painful punishment..." (Quran 9:34)

http://www.soundvision.com/Info/life/zakatcalc.asp

Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital. So, you just pick a date on lunar calendar and stick to it for the rest of your life. Preferably use Ramadan to get extra reward.

Any amount until "Nisab" is exempt from Zakat. So, we subtract that amount from the final total and pay Zakat on the rest.

Nisab is the exemption limit for the payment of Zakat. In other words, it is the amount which savings or capital or product must exceed in order for the Muslim owner to be obliged to give zakat. Nisab amount calculated based on 3 oz of pure Gold. This changes on a daily basis, so either use a calculator, or look it up for that day.

Personal properties that are necessity are exempted from Zakat.

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 542:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim"

Who or where to pay Zakat?

You can pay zakat to any relative who is not:

• Your parent, grandparent and ascending
• Your child, grandchild and descending
• Your spouse

As for all other relatives then it is not only permissible, but better to pay zakat to them if they are valid zakat-recipients.

1. The poor (Fuqara)-this refers to someone who has no income or incapable of earning income
2. The needy (Masakin)-this is someone who for instance, may have a job, a house and a car, but their income is below the minimum requirement.
3. Employees of the Zakah.
4. Sympathizers. These are those people who might enter or who have already entered Islam. Anyone we feel are good friends or ours (non-Muslim or new Muslims) we give them a gift from the Zakah money.

   (To draw their hearts closer.) Some people are given because some of his peers
   might embrace Islam, while others are given to collect alms from surrounding
   areas, or to defend Muslim outposts. Allah knows best. (Ibn Kathir)

To free slaves
Riqab is the term used to describe the group of people who are slaves. The Zakah money is used to free the slaves.

For the Gharimeen-those who are in debt
Zakah money is used to pay off debts but these people are not living in luxury, they are living a normal life. For example, someone who has gone bankrupt because of job loss and is overloaded with debt.

Fee Sabeelillah (for the Cause of Allah)

Ibn as Sabeel
This refers to a traveler, for instance who has lost his wallet and has to get back to his home.

If there is no close relative or neighbour in need of it, it is suggested to pay Zakat in your local masjid, since they will have a program to help people in the neighbourhood.

First two categories are top priorities, and Masjid can take care after that. Rest categories are for future generations, when wealth will be so common that you would need to search for a person to pay zakat. Please don't spent time looking for a traveler, as that is the last person for zakat.

Following masjid accepts Zakat and helps locals in Orlando.

http://icorlando.org/

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin

Adnan Jumani