New to Islam? Zakaat

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The 5 Pillars of Islam
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.



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.



Just as Allah سبحانه وتعالى has created people with different colours, attitudes and levels of knowledge, so too their deeds and provision vary. He has made some of them rich and some poor, to test the rich as to whether they show gratitude, and to test the poor as to whether they are patient. Because the believers are a brotherhood, and brotherhood is based on compassion, kindness, love and mercy, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has enjoined upon the Muslims zakaah which is taken from the rich and given to the poor. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says (interpretation of the meaning):



"Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah سبحانه وتعالى for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them"[Al-Tawbah 9:103]


Zakaah purifies and cleanses wealth, and purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness. It strengthens the love between the rich and poor, takes away hatred, makes security prevail and brings happiness to the ummah happy.


Allah سبحانه وتعالى has made the payment of zakaah obligatory upon everyone who owns the nisaab (minimum amount) for one year. The rate of zakaah on gold, silver, other metals and trade goods is one quarter of ten percent. On agricultural produce and fruits the amount is one-tenth if it is irrigated (by artificial means), and one-half of one-tenth if it is not irrigated (by artificial means, i.e., it is watered by rainfall or other natural means). Concerning an'aam animals (i.e., sheep, goats, cattle and camels) the details are explained in the books of fiqh... Whoever pays zakaah, Allaah expiates his sins thereby, and blesses his wealth, and stores up for him a great reward. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says (interpretation of the meaning):


"And perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah, and whatever of good (deeds that Allah loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allahسبحانه وتعالى. Certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what you do"[Al-Baqarah 2:110]


Withholding zakaah brings disasters and evils upon the ummah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has threatened those who withhold it with a painful torment on the Day of Resurrection.


When a Muslim pays his zakaah, it is not permissible for him to give it to anyone except those whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى mentions in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):


"As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa' (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidoon - those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah سبحانه وتعالى. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى is All-Knower, All-Wise"[Al-Tawbah 9:60]