Zakat, the Religious Obligation to Make Social Harmony
by Safiul Azam, FCMA
Zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the required criteria of wealth. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and not a charitable contribution.
Zakat is based on income and the value of all of possessions by a Muslim. It is typically 2.5% (or 1/40th) of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as Nisab.The collected amount is paid first to zakat collectors, and then to poor Muslims, to new converts to Islam, to Islamic clergy, and others.
Zakat literally means “that which purifies”.Zakat is considered a way to purify one’s income and wealth from sometimes worldly, impure ways of acquisition.According to Sachiko Murata and William Chittick, “Just as ablutions purify the body and salat purifies the soul (in Islam), so zakat purifies possessions and makes them pleasing to Almighty.
Quran:The Quran discusses charity in many verses, some of which relate to zakat. The word zakat, with the meaning used in Islam now, is found in suras: 7:156, 19:31, 19:55, 21:73, 23:4, 27:3, 30:39, 31:4 and 41:7.Zakat is found in the early Medinan suras and described as obligatory for Muslims. It is given for the sake of salvation. Muslims believe those who give zakat can expect reward from Allah (SWT) in the afterlife, while neglecting to give zakat can result in damnation. Zakat is considered part of the covenant between God and a Muslim.The Quran also lists who should receive the benefits of zakat.
Hadith:Each of the most trusted hadith collections in Islam have a book dedicated to zakat. Sahih Bukhari’s Book 24, Sahih Muslim’s Book 5, and Sunan Abu-Dawud’s Book 9 discuss various aspects of zakat, including who must pay, how much, when and what. The 2.5% rate is also mentioned in the hadiths.
The hadiths reprimand those who do not give the zakat. According to the hadith, refusal to pay or mockery of those who pay zakat is a sign of hypocrisy, and God will not accept the prayers of such people. The sunna also describes Allah’s punishment for those who refuse or fail to pay zakat. On the day of Judgment, those who did not give the zakat will be held accountable and punished.
Amount of Zakat:The amount of zakat to be paid by an individual depends on the amount of money and the type of assets the individual possesses. The Quran does not provide specific guidelines on which types of wealth are taxable under the zakat, nor does it specify percentages to be given. But the customary practice is that the amount of zakat paid on capital assets (e.g. money) is 2.5% (1/40).Zakat is additionally payable on agricultural goods, precious metals, minerals, and livestock at a rate varying between 2.5% and 20% (1/5), depending on the type of goods.Zakat is usually payable on assets continuously owned over one lunar year that are in excess of the nisab, a minimum monetary value.
Failure to Pay:Some classical jurists have held the view that any Muslim who consciously refuses to pay zakat is an apostate, since the failure to believe that it is a religious duty (fard) is a form of unbelief (kufr), and should be killed. However, prevailing opinion among classical jurists prescribed sanctions such as fines, imprisonment or corporal punishment. Additionally, those who failed to pay the zakat would face Allah’s punishment in the afterlife on the Day of Judgment.
Some classical and contemporary scholars such as Ishaq Ibn Rahwayh and Yusuf al-Qaradawi have stated that the person who fails to pay Zakat should have the payment taken from them, along with half of his wealth.In modern states where zakat payment is compulsory, failure to pay is regulated by state law similarly to tax evasion.
Distribution: According to the Quran’s Surah Al-Tawba, there are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to benefit from zakatfunds.
“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.” – Qur’an, Sura 9 (Al-Tawba), Ayat 60
Scholarshave traditionally interpreted this verse as identifying the following eight categories of Muslim causes to be the proper recipients of zakat:
- Those living without means of livelihood (Al-Fuqara),the poor
- Those who cannot meet their basic needs (Al-Masakin),the needy
- To zakat collectors (Al-Amiliyn ‘Aliha)
- To persuade those sympathetic to or expected to convert to Islam (Al-Mu’allafatu Qulubuhum), recent converts to Islam, and potential allies in the cause of Islam
- To free from slavery or servitude (Fir-Riqab), slaves of Muslims who have or intend to free from their master by means of a kitabahcontract
- Those who have incurred overwhelming debts while attempting to satisfy their basic needs (Al-Gharimin), debtors who in pursuit of a worthy goal incurred a debt
- Those fighting for a religious cause or a cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah),or for Jihad in the way of Allah by means of pen, word, or sword, or for Islamic warriors who fight against the unbelievers but are not salaried soldiers.
- Wayfarers, stranded travellers (Ibnu Al-Sabil), travellers who are traveling with a worthy goal but cannot reach their destination without financial assistance
Zakat should not be given to one’s own parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouses.
The zakat is considered by Muslims to be an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims, as well as preserving social harmony between the wealthy and the poor. Zakat promotes a more equitable redistribution of wealth and fosters a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Ummah.
Safiul Azam, FCMA is Senior Editorial Consultant – NsNews Wire, a fellow member of ICMAB, President and Chief Rayman – The World Raymen, Vice President – CMA BD Tiger Toastmaster, Fellow of Bangladesh – China Media Consortium and involve in private service. He can be reached via e-mail: azam.icma@gmail.com