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.
It refers to the
purification of a Muslim's wealth and soul. To "purify" is to purify
them from the faults of stinginess, greed and meanness, and lack of remorse
towards the needy, and other similar depravities.
Zakah is an obligatory
form of "charity" expected from every Muslim individual. This form of
"charity" is an act of worship and a form of social
investment. , zakah is a fixed proportion collected from the surplus
wealth and earnings of a Muslim. It is then distributed to prescribed beneficiaries
and for the welfare as well as the infrastructure of a Muslim society in
general.
The Messenger of Allah
(saws) said: "He who discharges Zakah of his property, his sins shall
leave him." The Prophet Muhammad used to give to the needy all the money
and gifts that exceeded his needs on a daily basis. He placed his faith in God
to provide for his future needs.
Every
Muslim male or female who at the end of the year is in possession of the
equivalent of 85 grams of gold (or 596gms of Silver) or more in cash or articles of trade, must pay his
or her zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5%.
INJUNCTIONS OF ZAKAH
As
it has been mentioned, zakah is mentioned vis-Evis with Salat (prayer) in 30
verses of the Qur'an.
It was first revealed in Surah Al Muzzamil: 20;
"....
and establish regular prayers and give regular charity; and loan to Allah a
beautiful loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls, ye shall find
it in Allah's presence, Yea, better and greater in reward and seek ye the grace
of Allah: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
BENEFITS
OF ZAKAT
The literal and simple
meaning of Zakah is purity. The technical meaning of the word designates the
annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among
the rightful beneficiaries. But the religious and spiritual significance of
Zakah is much deeper and more lively. So is its humanitarian and sociopolitical
value. Here is an explanation of the far-reaching effects of Zakah:
1. Zakah purifies the property of the people with
means and clears it from the shares which do not belong to it anymore, the
shares which must be distributed among the due beneficiaries. When Zakah is
payable, a certain percentage of the wealth should be distributed immediately
in the right manner, because the owner no longer has moral or legal possession
of that percentage. If he fails to do so, he is obviously retaining something
which does not belong to him. This is corruption and plain usurpation from
every point of view, moral and spiritual, legal and commercial. It means that
the unlawfully retained percentage makes the whole lot impure and endangered.
But, on the other hand, if the poor's dividends are assorted and distributed
among due beneficiaries, the remaining portions of the lot will be pure and
decent. Pure capital and decent possessions are the first requisites of
permanent prosperity and honest transactions.
2. Zakah does not only purify the property of the
contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed for wealth.
In return, it purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from
hatred and uneasiness; and it fosters in his heart, instead, good will and warm
wishes for the contributor. As a result, the society at large; will purify and
free itself from class warfare and suspicion, from ill feelings and distrust,
from corruption and disintegration, and from all such evils.
3. Zakah mitigates to a minimum the sufferings of the
needy and poor members of society. It is a most comforting consolation to the
less fortunate people, yet it is a loud appeal to everybody to roll up his
sleeves and improve his lot. To the needy it means that it is by nature an
emergency measure and that he should not depend on it completely but must do
something for himself as well as for others. To the contributor it is a warm
invitation to earn more so that he can benefit more. To all parties concerned,
it is, directly as well as indirectly, an open treasure for spiritual
investment that compensates abundantly.
4. Zakah is a healthy form of internal security
against selfish greed and social dissension, against the intrusion and
penetration of subversive ideologies. It is an effective instrument in
cultivating the spirit of social responsibility on the part of the contributor,
and the feeling of security and belonging on the part of the recipient.
5. Zakah is a vivid manifestation of the spiritual and
humanitarian spirit of responsive interactions between the individual and
society. It is a sound illustration of the fact that though Islam does not
hinder private enterprise or condemn private possessions, yet it does not
tolerate selfish and greedy Capitalism. It is an expression of the general
philosophy of Islam which adopts a moderate and middle but positive and
effective course between the Individual and the Society, between the Citizen
and the State, between Capitalism and Socialism, between Materialism and Spirituality.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT FROM ZAKAH?
Zakah
can only be distributed to any of the eight eligible beneficiaries (asnaf) that
are mentioned in the Qur'an, At Taubah: 60. However, priority should be given
to the poor and needy. Where there is no central authority to administer zakah,
it can be paid directly to the needy.
"Zakat is for
the poor, and the needy and those
who are employed to administer and collect it, and the new
converts, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt and
service of the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarers, a duty
ordained by Allah, and Allah is the All-Knowing, the Wise".
At Taubah : 60.
1.
The poor (Faqir/Fuqara)
Those without any means of livelihood and material possessions.
2.
The needy (Miskeen)
Those without sufficient means of livelihood to meet their basic necessities.
For instance, those who, although may have a job, a house and a car, but whose
income is below the minimum requirement.
3.
The administrators of zakah (Amil)
Those appointed to manage and administer zakah. This category is sub-divided
into the following categories:
a.
Group of people who go out to the society and determine those who fall Fuqara
and Miskeen categories.
b.
Those who collect the Zakah money.
c.
The accountant of the Zakah money.
d.
The administrator, manager, clerical worker or secretary who puts the files in
order.
e.
Those who handle Zakah distributions.
f.
The auditor who audits overall Zakah management and administration.
4.
The sympathisers (Muallaf)
Those who are inclined to enter or have already converted to Islam. The new converts to Islam whose
hearts we want to harmonize into the fold of Islam, either because their faith
is weak or we are afraid of their being harmed
5.
To free slaves (Riqab)
Zakah can also be used to free slaves or captives.
6.
Those who are in debt (Gharimin)
Zakah can be used to pay off the debts of a person who has borrowed to pay for
basic necessities so that he/she can lead a normal life. Zakah can also be
distributed to those in financial difficulties e.g. bankruptcy due to the loss
of employment and heavy debt.
7. For the cause of Allah (Fisabillillah)
Zakah can be used to finance any form of struggle or work for the love of
Allah. The following examples fall under this category, e.g. Da'wah; building
& developing society's infrastructure; defending Muslims, who are being
oppressed; assisting poor travellers and sponsoring a student's educational
expenses.
8.
Those who are stranded during a journey (Ibnus Sabil)
Zakah can also be used to help a traveller facing difficulties in continuing
his journey due to reasons such as loss of money or the break down of his
vehicles, the repair of which he cannot afford.
TYPES OF ZAKAH
Zakah is an annual
payment based on the amount of wealth owned by a Muslim individual or
organization. This payment is obligatory upon any Muslim individual or
organization that has completed the requirement of Nisab (minimum taxable
amount). The payment is 2.5% out of the total wealth deemed for zakah.
Zakah
can be subdivided into zakah on :
1. ZAKAH
ON BUSINESS (URAD AL
TIJARAH)
In this context, business
refers to any form of trading activities that generate income.
Formula: 2.5% x (Assets - Liabilities)
2.
ZAKAH ON RENTAL INCOME ('URUD AL MUSTAGHALLAT)
The Zakah Calculation Formula
2.5%
x [Total Rental Revenue - Rental Expenses - Current Liabilities]
3. ZAKAH ON PERSONAL INCOME (e.g. SALARY)
In this context, personal
income refers to the salary/wages, commissions, allowances, bonuses and
monetary gifts earned by a zakah payer through permissible (halal) activities.
Formula:
2.5%
x [Total Salary for the Year + Any Other Incomes]
Steps in Calculating Zakah on Income/Salary
1. Determine the total
gross salary for the year. Add any other income for the year - this is
inclusive of any commissions earned, allowances, bonuses, wages and monetary
gifts. The gross income for the year become your ZAKAT base (Taxable Income for
Zakat).
2. If the ZAKAT base
exceeds the nisab $130 (Nisab based on Current price of 612.36 grams of Silver),
multiply it by 2.5% (0.025) and the resultant figure becomes the net
ZAKAT payable for the Year.
WHERE SHOULD ONE PAY HIS
ZAKAT?
Zakat can be paid at the
mosque near you so the mosque committee or the Imaam can distribute it to those
that need it.
You can also give it to
any reputable Islamic Organization of your choice that will then
distribute it to its respective beneficiaries.
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR
THOSE WHO REFUSE TO PAY ZAKAT?
Those who lay up treasures of gold and silver and
spend them not in the way of God; give them the news of a painful punishment,
on the Day when that [wealth] will be heated in hellfire, and their foreheads
and their sides and their backs branded therewith: "This is the treasure
which you laid up for yourselves! Taste, then, your hoarded treasure!" [9:34-35]
Let not those who are miserly with what God has
given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad
for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day
of Arising. [3:180]
Bukhari relates on the authority of Abu Hurayra
that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "Whoever is given
wealth by God and does not pay the Zakat due thereupon shall find that on the
Day of Arising it is made to appear to him as a hairless snake with two black
specks, which chains him, and then seizes him by his jaw and says, 'I am your
wealth! I am your treasure!'" Then he recited the verse, 'Let not those
who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is
good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be
hung around their necks on the Day of Arising.' [3:180]
AS A MATTER OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE FORWARD
THIS MESSAGES TO ALL MUSLIMS ON YOUR CONTACT LIST, TO SAVE THEM THE PUNISHMENTS
OF THE HELL FIRE.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
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Menuju Ahli Dzikir, Ahli Fikir, dan Ahli Ikhtiar
===================================================
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