Guidelines

Definition of Zakat The Arabic term Zakat linguistically refers to several connotations: Purity, growth, blessing, and praise .1 According to Sharia laws, Zakat means: The act of worship to Allah Almighty by allotting a compulsory portion of a sum of money that meets certain characteristics for a specific type of beneficiaries.2 Paying Zakat is a prominent act of worship; it is described as: “The act of worship to Allah Almighty by paying an obligatory sum.” Wealth paid for Zakat is: A small portion, imposed by the Islamic Sharia laws for great ends. Such allotted portion is not made from all the wealth that a Muslim owns, but from the funds that meet certain specifications, i.e. The Zakat wealth. It is defined as: “Meeting certain characteristics.” Zakat funds are classified into: Money (gold, silver, cash), trade offers, livestock, grain and fruits. Zakat is paid for specific beneficiaries as defined, “for a specific type of beneficiaries,” who comprise eight classes as stated in the Quran: Sharia laws have carefully described Zakat in that nomenclature to reflect its aforementioned meanings. It purifies the soul against miserliness, cleanses wealth from whichever forms of forbidden earnings they may have acquired, blesses and grows wealth, and commends its (1 ) See: Al-Nihaya (2/307), Lisan Al-Arab (14/358) (2 ) Almauwsoah Alkwitiah, / 23 Page 229 (Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Al­ lah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise) [At-Tawba: 60]. payer according to Sharia, as the Zakat payer obliges to Allah’s orders and to logic as well, due to the mundane benefits it creates, which are only understood by the Wise. 1.2 Zakat Hukm (Ruling) Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, and one of its great foundations. Allah Almighty has placed Zakat on equal footing with prayer in the Holy Quran in eighty-two different positions, which indicates its great virtue and importance. Zakat is one of the Fardh (obligations) of Islam. The Quran and Sunnah provide evidence for how Zakat is mandatory. Among the verses of Quran describing Zakat Allah says: (And establish prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]) [Al-Baqarah: 43]. And: (Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give Zakat will have their reward with Allah, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.) [Al-Baqarah: 277]. Among Sunnah references on Zakat: Ibn Omar’s account of Prophet Muhammad as saying: ((The structure of) Islam is built on five: Testimony that no deity deserves to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is his worshiper and Messenger, the observance of Prayer, the payment of Zakat, the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Kaaba), and Fasting during the month of Ramadan) Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet appointed Muadh ibn Jabal as governor of Yemen, and at the time of his departure, he instructed him thus: (----------, tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor) [Agreed Upon]. Ibn Qudamah said: (Muslims at all times unanimously agreed that it is obligatory.) [Al-Moghny]