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The principle of giving out the zakat tithe in Islam is
based on the premise that all things belong to Allah, and we
humans are only trustees even of our 'own' wealth.
In order to purify these possessions, we are taught to set aside
a proportion for those in need. Like the pruning or trimming of
plants, this act of sharing with the less fortunate balances and
encourages new growth.
The zakat received, whether in cash or kind, will be put in the
Baitulmaal, literally House of Wealth, from where it will be
distributed to the poor and needy. The act of alms giving or
paying the zakat represents the unbreakable bond between members
of the community.
As much as it purifies the 'haves' from the twin evils of greed
and selfishness, zakat also cleanses the hearts of the
'have-nots' from feelings of jealousy and hatred. Hence this
noble act of giving and receiving fosters, instead, good will
and warm wishes between giver and recepient.
Zakat is not randomly distributed. Islam has set specific
guidelines on the groups of people who are qualified to receive
the zakat, among them:
- the hardcore poor
- the needy who need help to supplement their income
- converts to Islam
- travellers
- those striving in the way of Allah
- debtors (on the edge of financial disaster)
- slaves who desire to buy their freedom, and
- the zakat collector.
As the fourth pillar of Islam, Zakat, is mandatory upon
Muslims who own wealth on which zakat is payable. This act of
giving out part of one's wealth will indeed bring blessing
(barakah) on the whole. The person who pays zakat gains the
interest of goodness while for the recepient it will lighten his
burden, financial or otherwise.
Zakat on wealth comprises several sub-categories, namely zakat
on savings, zakat on business, zakat on crops, zakat on
livestock and zakat on buried treasure. Another type of zakat,
known as Zakat al-Fitr is paid at the close of Ramazan when
Muslims celebrate Eid-ul- Fitr.
The Qur'anic injunction which made Zakat compulsory in contained
in the following verse:
"Take from their wealth charity (alms) to
purify them and to cleanse them thereby, and pray for them."
[At-Taubah: 103]
It specifically equates the giving of zakat or alms as purifying
and cleansing oneself.
Other Qur'anic verses which refer to zakat are:
"Never shall you attain piety unless you
spend (in the way of Allah) out of what you love." [Ale-Imraan:
92]
"And who is saved from the avarice of his
inner self, it is they who are successful." [Al-Hashr: 9]
From the hadeeth, we have the following reports:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet SAW said:
"Whoever is made wealthy by Almighty
Allah and does not pay the zakat of his wealth, then on the Day
of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed
poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The
snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am
your wealth, I am your treasure'. " [Bukhari]
During the reign of the first Muslim Caliph Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
(r.a.), there was an incident where those who were qualified to
pay zakat refused to do so. Upon this matter, he said:
"By Allah (SWT), if they refuse to pay me
(even) a bridle which they used to pay the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh), then I will fight them because of their refusal."
[Muslim]
Far from being optional charity or philanthropy, the Islamic
form of Zakat is the right of the poor in the wealth of the
rich. In general terms, wealth which is liable for Zakat means
whatever remains over and above the meeting of needs and
expenses, and has been stored for the full span of one year.
Hence, it is obvious that Zakat implies a deep humanitarian and
social-political value. For one thing, it frees society from
class warfare, ill feelings, distrust and corruption. There is
no place in Islam for selfish and greedy capitalism.
However, that does not mean that Islam hinders private
enterprise or condemns private possession. In fact, Islam adopts
a moderate, positive and effective course between the individual
and society, between the citizen and the state, between
capitalism and socialism, and between materialism and
spiritualism. (From VisionIslam) |
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