THE ZAKAT

WHAT IS IT?

• translates to "purification" and "growth"
• the social contract between those who have and those who dont
• taxation redistrubuted to the poor
• expression of devotion to Allah
• ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality

Benefits of Zakat

• obeying God's will
• realize everything we have is truly God's
• do not own anything ourselves
• will not have money when we die
• free self from greed and selfishness

The History

• practice was initiated by Muhummad
• Caliph Abu Bakr was the first to institute a mandatory system

Zakat in the Qur'an

• "Out of their wealth take sadaqah thereby purifying
• and sanctifying them." (Surah Al-Taubah 9:103)
• In their wealth and properties is the right of the poor, the beggar
• and he who is in deprivation.” (Surah Al-Dhareyat 51:19)


The Nisab

• minimum amount you have to make to have to pay Zakat
• equal to 20 mithqal, or 85 grams of pure gold
• if you don't make this amount, you don't have to pay Zakat
• Faqirs are those you don't make the Nisab
• borrowed money does not factor into Nisab

The Amount

• you are required to pay 2.5% of your yearly earnings
• Must be in money, not resources
• obligatory after one lunar year (355 days)
• preferred in gold or silver

Those Who Receive Zakat

• Al-Masakin- The needy
• Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha: Administrators of Zakat
• Al-Mu’allafate-Qulubuhum: Reconciliation of Hearts
• Fir-Riqab: For those in Bondage
• Al-Gharimin: Those in Debt

More People

• Fi-Sabilillah: In the Cause of Allah
• Ibnas-Sabil: The Wayfarer
• can be given to places that serve the community
• siblings, aunts, uncles, neice/nephews, step-mother/ father
• (not children, husband/wife)

Who Cannot Receive Zakat

• child of a rich man (unless he is an adult)
• institutions that will use money for construction
• capable of working, but not working
• Ascendants, descendants and wives of the payer
• the family of the Prophet

Voluntary Donation

• does NOT count as Zakat
• known as Sadaqa(h)
• still important, but outside of Zakat
• does not have to be money
• can be kindness