ALZAKAT"THE POOR DUE"

BY

ABD EL-RAZZAK NOFAL

ThisbookisthefirstinaseriesdesignedtostateasbrieflyaspossibletheessentialsofIslam.

Noquestionsofhistoryor philosophyhavebeenraisedor discussed.TheplaintruthsaboutIslamhavebeenstatedinaclear andconcisemanner.

ItishopedthatpeoplewithverylittleknowledgeofIslamwillfindinthisseriesadirectintrodutiontotheessentialsofIslam.ItwillhelpeventhosewhowanttobeinitiatedintothestudyofIslam.

SHAWKYSUKKARY

"ALZAKAT"THEPOORDUETheThirdPillar ofIslam

AlmightyAllahimposedZakzatonallMuslimsandgavethemordersregardsregardingitinmanyversesoftheQuran.For example

"Andbesteadfastinprayers,paytheZakat,andwhatever goodyousendforthbeforeyoufor your souls,youshallfinditwithGod,for Godseeswellwhatyoudo"

ThismentionofZakatintheQuranoccursinsome32verses.Inmostofthemitiscoupledwithprayers,andthisemphasisestheimportancewhichtheQuranplacesuponZakat.

GodhaspromisedallwhofulfillZakatgreatreward.Thisisillustratedinverseslike

"Andestablishregular prayersandpaytheZakatandloantoGodagoodlyloan.whatever goodyousendforthbeforeyoufor your souls,youshallfinditinGod'sPresence,better andgreater inreward."Whatbetter rewardistherethanGod'smercy?

Asfor thosewhorefrainfromcharityandwhodonotpractiseZakat,their punishmentwillbesevere

"AndwoetothosewhojoingodswithGod...whodonotpaytheZakatanddonotbelieveintheHereafter".Likewise:

"Woetotheworshipperswhoareneglectfuloftheir prayers,thosewhowouldbeseen(atworship),butabstainfromgoodworks".Andalso:

"Andthosewhohoardupgoldandsilver andspenditnotinthewayofGod,announceuntothemamostgrievouspenalty...OntheDaywhenitwill(all)beheatedinthefireofHell,andtheirforeheads,sidesandbackswillbebrandedtherewith(andtheywillbetold):Thisiswhatyouhoardedupfor yourselves;tasteofthatwhichyouhoarded."

Treasureheremeanswealthoutofwhichacertainamountisnotdedicatedfor charity(Zakat)evenifitisputawayandnotinvested.

Asfor thewealthuponwhichZakatispaiditisnotconsidered`treasure'evenifitis`putaway

"AndletnotthosewhocovetouslyhoardupthatwhichGodhasgiventhemofHisbountythinkthatitisbetter for themmayitwillbetheworsefor them.Thatwhichtheyhavehoardedavariciouslywillbeasacollar ontheir necksontheDayofJudgement".

Zakatisalsooftheconditionsfor theacceptanceoftherepentanceofpagans.Itisaconditionfor abstainingfromwagingwar onthem,astheQuranspecifies:

"Butwhenthesacredmonthshavepassed,thenfightandslaytheidolaterswhereyoufindthem,andseizethem,beleaguer them,andlieinwaitfor themineveryambush.Butiftheyrepent,andestablishregular prayersandpracticeZakatthenletthemgotheir way,for godisForgiving,Merciful".

SimilarlyZakatisalsoproofthatpaganshaveembracedIslam,andbrotherhoodtowardsthemisthedutyofallother Muslims,astheQuranicversestates

Butiftheyrepent,establishregular prayers,andpaytheZakattheyareyour brethreninfaith".

Muhammad(PrayersandGod'sPeacebeuponhim)advisedthepracticeofZakatinmanyofhissayings.For example,itisrelatedofhimthatheaddressedthepeoplesaying:

"Opeople,He(Gabriel)cametomefrommyLordwhilstIwasasleepandsaidtome:OMuhammad,thosewhopraybutdonotpracticeZakat,their prayersarenotacceptable,andthosewhopractiseZakatbutdonotpray,their Zakatisnotacceptable.HewhowitholdsZakatisontheDayOfJudgementequaltohewhohasnotpractisedit".

MuhammadalsomentionsZakatinoneofhissayingsasoneofthefivepillarsofIslam:"IslamisbuiltuponfivepillarstestimonyofbeliefinoneGodandMuhammadasHisprophet,prayers,Zakat,fastinginthemonthofRamadanandthePilgrimagetoMecca".

For thatreason,whenMuhammadsenthisenvoystopreachIslam,headvisedthemtocallpeopletoworshipGodandthentopayZakat,takingfromtherichtogivetothepoor.

HealsoadvisedMuazwhenhesenthimtoYemensaying

"YouaregoingtoapeoplewhohaveaScripture.SocallthemfirsttoworshipGod;andwhentheyhaveacknowledgedGodtellthemthatGodimposesZakatonthem,takenfromtherichandreturnedtothepoor.Iftheyobeyacceptitfromthem,andheedthepleaofthedowntrodden,for betweenitandGodthereisnobarrier.

He,whorefusestheobligationofZakatisanunbelieverwhomustrepentor bekilledliketheonewhoapostatizes.AbuBakr (theGraceofGodbeuponhim)killedthosewhoapostatizedwhentheyrefusedtopayZakatandsaid"ByGod,weretheytoholdbackaduewhichtheyusedtopaytotheMessenger ofGod,Iwouldwageholywar againstthem".Andheorderedwar tobewagedagainstthemsaying:"Ishallfightallthosewhomakeadistinctionbetweenprayer andZakat."

CLASSIFICATIONOFZAKAT

Zakatisdividedintotwomaincategories

1. ZakatofalFitr (i.e.thebreakingofthefastattheendofRamadan.ItisalsoreferredtoastheZakatofthebody.

2. Zakatofwealth.

ZakatofalFitr:

Muhammadorderedthatthiskindofcharityshouldbeobservedinthesameyear inwhichthefastingduringRamadanwasimposed.

Aday,or twodaysprecedingalFitr theProphetaddressedtheMuslimssaying:

"Givefor charity,beitcornor dates;giveaccordingtowhatyouare,freeor slave,youngor old."

ItisalsorelatedbyalBukhariandMuslimthattheProphet(Prayer andGod'sPeacebeuponhim)imposedthecharityofalFitr after Ramadan,ameasureofdatesor barleyonallMuslims,slaveor free,youngor old,maleor female.

THOSEWHOHAVETOPRACTISEZAKATALFITR

ZakatalFitr doesnotbecomenullifiedifoneisaMuslim,providedtheMuslimisfreeandpossessestheamountofZakatafter coveringtheexpensesoffoodfor himself,andthosewhomhefeedsfor adayandanight,together withtheexpenditurewhichheincursinrelationtowife,son,servantsandthosewhomhehastoprovidefor suchasparentsandothers.

Itsamount:

Theamountiseither ameasureofdates,or barley,or rice,or corn,or anythingelseediblethatcanbeusedfor food,fromeachindividual.

IfZakatistoconsistofwheatitishalfthatfor eachperson.AmanmustconsciouslyintendZakat,sincewithoutintentitisnotvalid.

ZakatincashvariesinestimationaccordingtothecurrentvalueofmoneyatthetimeofZakat.

TheHanafisectallowsthepersontopayincashfor Zakat,indeed,itconsidersthatthisispreferablebecauseitismoreusefultothepoor,sincetheyknowwhattheyneedmostitmightbefoodanditmightbemedicine.

ThetimetopractiseZakatalFitr:

AllthelearnedhaveagreedthatthetimetopractiseitistheendofRamadan.Theydisagreeuponthetimeofday,whether itistobesunsetonthedayprecedingalFitr or dawnonthedayofthefeast.

Onethingiscertain,andthatisalZakathastobefulfilledbeforegoingouttotheprayers.

IbnOmar said:"TheProphetorderedustofulfilZakatalFitr beforegoingouttoprayers'.

Itisalsopermittedtooffer itadayor twobeforethatdate:OthersevensaythatoneisallowedtodosofromthebeginningofRamadan.Itisdefinitelynotpermittedafter thedayofthefeast.ItisthennotZakatbutSadaqa(alms).

Itisrelated,throughIbnAbbas,thatProphetMuhammad(PrayersandGod'sPeacebeuponhim)orderedZakatalFitr aspurificationfor theonewhofastsfromvainthings,andasahelpandsustenancetothepoor.Hewhopractisesitbeforetheprayer,hisZakatisacceptable,butfor hewhofulfilsitafter theprayer itissimplySadaqa(almsgiving).

ZakatalFitr doesnotbecomenullifiedifoneislateinfulfillingititisstilladutyfor allMuslims.

Amanmustfulfilitsomehow,or elsehisaccountwillbesettledinrelationtoitonthedaywhennorepentanceisacceptedandnomoneyisavailable.

UseofZakatalFitr:

Ithasmanyusesandbenefitsfor thosewhofulfillitandfor societyasawhole.

Theonewhofulfillsitispurifiedthroughitfromthatwhichmighthavespoiledhisfasting,suchasvainactsor unseemlyspeechwhichheisrequiredtoabstainfrom,asheabstainsfromeatingor drinking,or lustsofthefleshandthereishardlyapersonwhoisnotopentothesesothatZakatisapurificationtothosewhofast.PerhapsthatiswhatismeantbythesayingofMuhammad:

"FastinginthemonthofRamadanliessuspendedbetweentheearthandHeaven.Itisonlyraised(toHeaven)byZakatofalFitr"

Itisalsoadutybindinguponeverysinglepersonfallingunder theguidanceofthefaster,youngor old,freeor slave.ItisthustheZakatofthebody,asitistheZakatofalFitr.Fromthisdeduction,comesthehopethattoGodAlmightyitisameansofpreservingthebodiesofallwhofulfillit,andofpurifyingandimprovingtheir bodiesThataswhatismeantbyHiswords

"Oftheir goodtakealms,sothatyoumaypurifyandimprovethemthereby".

Asfor benefitstosociety,weallrealisethatit(alZakat)providesfor thepoor inawaythatmakeshumilityunnecessaryonthatday.ThatisexplainedbytheProphet'ssaying

"Relievethemofthenecessityofgoingaround(lookingfor alms)onthisday."

Another benefittosocietyisthatall,poor andrichalike,feelthegeneraljoyofthatday.Itisnotfor therichonly.

Also,thepoor personwhoreceivesalmsfeelsrichonthatdaybyreceivingthem.He,therefore,seekswaysofpractisingcharityhimselfandthatdayhefeelsthathetooisagiver andtakesdelightingiving.

Hebecomesaccustomedtothefeeling,albeitrare,thatheisonetodogoodandnottohavegooddonetohim.Itscondition:

TofulfilthiskindofZakatapersonmustbe:

1)AMuslim,for Zakatisnotadutyfor thenonMuslim.

2)Free,for slavesarenotsupposedtopayit.

3)Tohavereachedmajority.Itisnotbindingupontheminor ;itisbindinguponhiswealthanditisthedutyofhisguardiantoextractitfromhis(theminor's)wealth.

4)Sane,for Zakatisnotadutyfor theinsane.Itis,nevertheless,thedutyofhisguardiantoproduceitfromtheperson'swealth.Itisthusenforceableuponthewealthoftheinsane.

5)Hemusthavethetotal(intermsofwealth)whichentailspaymentofZakat.

6)Thistotalshouldhavebeenhisfor specifiedtimeinorder tojustifyZakati.e.for oneyear or 12lunar months.

Thisdoesnotapplytoproduceor fruitsoftheland.ThetimetofulfilltheZakatontheseisthetimeofharvesting,whenthefruitsandproducearefullyripe.ThisisspecifiedintheQuran:

"Eatoftheir fruitintheirseason,butrender thedues!thatareproper onthedaythattheharvestisgathered".

KINDSOFWEALTHONWHICHAIZAKATISLEVIED

Livestock,suchascamels,cows,buffaloes,sheepandgoats.Other kindsoflivestockarenoteligiblefor Zakatunlesstheyareusedasmerchandise;thentheZakatfor tradeapplies.

Zakatisimposedontheaboveanimalsonconditionthattheygrazethecommonpasture.Theyareconsideredinexpensiveandalsouseful,for theybreed,their fleshisedibleandtheir milkisdrunk.Theydonotcostthepersonwhoownsthemmuch.

Ontheother hand,iftheanimalisstallbredthennoZakatisduebecauseoftheexpenseandeffortinvolvedinfeedingit.Butinthecaseoftheworkinganimal,sinceitproducesbyitsworkinploughingor irrigation,thenZakatisdueitisasifZakatonagriculturalproduceweretoincludeworkinganimals.

ZakatofCamels:

Thisappliesinexcessoffivecamels.Ifapersonownsthatnumber,heshouldpayZakatattherateofasheepfor thefivecamels,andsofor eachfiveuptoatotalof25camels,for whichhemustgiveayear oldshecamelwithZakat.

Ifheowns36,heshouldincludeatwoyear oldshecamel.

Ifhiswealthamountsto46camels,heshouldincludeathreeyear oldshecamel.Ifheowns61,heshouldinclude(withZakat)afouryear oldshecamel.Ifhehas73,heshouldinclude2twoyear oldshecamels,amongstZakat.

Ifheowns91camels,heshouldinclude2threeyear oldshecamelsandsimilarlyupto120.Ifmore,atwoear oldshecamelfor eachadditional40andathreeyear oldshecamelfor eachadditional50camels.

ZakatofCows:

Itstartswithhewhohasthirty.Atthatpointheshouldgiveonethatisayear old.Ifthenumber isforty,heshouldgiveonethatistwoyearsold.Ifhehasmorethanforty,heshouldgiveonethatisayear oldfor everythirty,andonethatistwoyearsoldfor everyforty.

ZakatofSheepandgoats:

Itstartswiththeowningoffortysheep.Ifapersonownsforty,heshouldgiveonefemalefromwhatever thekindmaybe.Ifsheepitistobeasheep,ifgoatsagoat,ifmixedsheepandgoatsthenitistakenfromwhichever ismostnumerous.Ifthetotalreaches121,thentwofemalesmustbeincluded,andifitreaches201thenthreemustbeincluded,andalsoonefor eachhundredinexcessofthat.

ZakatofGoldandSilver:

Zakatisimposedongoldandsilver.Ifapersonowns20mithqalofgoldheisliabletoZakat.

Themithqalequalsadinarwhichinturnequals4.25gms.

TheamountofgoldliabletoZakatis85gms.Zakatfor thisamountis2.5%ofitsvalue.

Asfor silver,`zakatstartsat200dirhams,whichequalfiveouncesor 591gmsofsilver.`zakatpaidfor thisamountisalso2.5%.

Thereisoneconditionfor Zakatofgoldandsilver theowner shouldhavetheabovementionedamountsfor ayear,atleast.ItisexemptfromZakatifitisintheshapeofJewelryusedfor ornamentation,exceptwiththeHanafisect.Theamountfor theZakatofgoldandsilver isaquarter ofthetenth;thatis2.5%ofitsvalue.

Thistaxalsoincludesanyduesfromtrade.Itisthenonequarter ofatenthofthecapitalusedintrade.

ZakatofProduceandFruits:

Zakatisalsodueonfruitsandproduce.Itisimposedonseedsgrain,datesandgrapes,iftheamountharvestedequals4Egyptianirdabbsand2kaylas.Anirdabbequalsabout330pounds,andakaylaisabout28pounds.Theamountwhichitisnecessarytopayequalsonehalfofatenthiftheowner usesmachinerytotillandirrigatehisland,whichmightinvolvehiminsomeexpenses.Ifhedoesnotusemachinery,butdependsonhisowneffortsfor tillingandon'rainfor irrigation,or onsmallcanals,thentheamountshouldreachonetenthofthecropor harvest.

THATWHICHISEXEMPTFROMZAKAT

ThefollowingareexemptfromZakat:

Privateabode,personalclothing,furniture,weapons,animalsusedfor transport,jewelssuchaspearls,rubies,etc...whicharenottradedin,booksthatarenotfor tradeequipmentusedfor handicraftfromwhichtheowner earnshisliving,suchasahammer,etc.

THEUTILISATIONOFZAKAT

TheQuranhasdefinedthepersonstoreceivealmsinthefollowingwords:

"Almsarefor thepoor andtheneedyandthoseemployedtoadminister the(funds),for thosewhoseheartshavebeenrecentlyreconciled,andthoseinslavery,andinthedebt,andinthewayofGod,andfor thewayfarer".

Thepoor (alfuqara)arethosewhodonotownenoughtobeliabletoZakatandthosewhodonothaveenoughtocarrythemthroughtheyear.

Asfor theneedy(almasakin),thereisadifferenceofopinionastowhether theyor thepoor `(alfuqara)areworseoff.Theneedyitissaid,arethosewhoownnothingandowingtoageor sicknesscannotearnanything.

thoseemployedtoadminister thefundsarethepersonsappointedbytheheadofgovernment.Amongstthemarelabourersandpublicofficials.Allthesearepaidaccordingtotheir respectivework.

Thosewhoseheartshavebeenrecentlyreconciledweretherichchiefsoftribeswhomtheheadofstatethoughtitnecessarytoplacatefor thegoodofIslam.TheProphet(God'sPrayer andPeacebeuponhim)distributedamongsttheir likesomealmsandbootyinorder toensurespecialaimsinspreadingIslamor topreventanyharmbeingdonetothefaithful.TheywereexemptfromZakatatthetimeofAbuBakr,ontheadviceofOmar,whenhegavehimtounderstandthattheconcessionsgrantedtothemweretemporary,inaccordancewiththeneedsofIslam;andGodstrengthenedIslamandtherewasnoneedtoplacatethem.Someof`thelearnedthinkthatitistherightoftheheadofstatetouseplacator measurestilltheDayofJudgement;andthatifheconsidersitofusetospendsomeofZakatuponthosewhoseheartsarereconciled,heisallowedtodothisintheserviceofIslam.

Thoseinslaverythatisthefreeingoftheslaveandtheraisingoftheir statusalthoughslaverynolonger exists.

Thoseindebtarethosewhohavebeenweigheddownbytheir debtsandtheycannotpayprovidedthatthecauseofdebtisnotanyvice,or mishandlingofmoney.

InthewayofGodmeansthosewhofightonaraidor intheHolyWar inthewayofGod;andsimilarlyallthatisbeneficialtoGod'sreligion.

Thewayfarer isthestranger whoisfar awayfromhishome.

STIPULATIONSGOVERNINGTHERECEIPTOFZAKAT

ThosewhoreceiveZakatinanyoftheabovecategories,inadditiontothespecialstipulationsfor eachcategory,mustbeMuslim,free,notofBaniHashim,or ofBaniAbdelMuttalib,oraslaveofeither.Heshouldhavereachedmajority,havefulluseofhisintellect,andbewiseindisposingofit.

Andtheeightcategoriescanbethoughtoftogether ingeneralterms,unlesstheheadofstatemakesadistinctionbetweenthem.

Zakatshouldbelimitedtothetownor placeofthefunds.

Theintentiontopayisimperative,althoughmakingitpublicisnotnecessaryfor thatimpliesthehurtingofthefeelingsofthepoor personandbringinghometohimahatefulfacthispovertyandhumiliation.

THERIGHTOFTHESTATEINCOLLECTINGZAKATANDDISPENSINGIT

InmanyversestheQuranmentionsthatcharityisadutythatmustbefulfilled

"Andrender tothekindredtheir duerights,as(also)tothoseinwant,andtothewayfarer:butsquander not(your wealth)inthemanner ofaspendthrift."

"Sogivewhatisduetothekindred,theneedy;andthewayfarer.Thatisbestfor thosewhoseekthecountenanceofGod;anditistheywhowillprosper.That,whichyelayoutfor increasethroughthepropertyof(other)people,willhavenoincreasewithGod:butthatwhichYelayoutfor Zakat,seekingthecountenanceofGod,(willincrease).Itisthesewhowillgetarecompensemultiplied".

"Astotherighteous,theywillbeinthemidstofgardensandsprings,takingjoyinthethingswhichtheir Lordgivesthembecausebeforethattheylivedagoodlife.theywereinthehabitofsleepingbutlittlebynight,andinthehoursofearlydawnthey(werefound)prayingfor forgiveness,andintheirwealthandpossessions(wasremembered)therightofthe(needy)onewhoasked,andhewhowasprevented(fromasking)..."

"Exceptthosedevotedtoprayer,thosewhoremainsteadfasttotheir prayer,andthoseinwhosewealthisarecognizedright(for theneedy),for hewhoasksandhewhoisprevented(fromasking)."

Weallknowthatrightshavetoberendered.ToguaranteethisrenderingtheProphet(ThePrayer andPeaceofGodbeuponhim)collectedalmsthroughthoseheappointed.TheQuranhaddecreedthatthosewhocollectalmscanalsoreceivealms.Itisadefinitefactthatmostoftheapostatesafter thedeathoftheProphetapostatizedbyrefusingtorender Zakatdecreeduponthem.

ThefactthatAbuBakr issuedordersthattheyshouldbefoughtconfirmsthatitisadutyofthestatetocollectZakatandenforceituponallwhohavetorender it.

Asfor thedistinctionofZakat,itisknownthattheProphet(thePrayer andPeaceofGodbeuponhim)usedtodistributeithimselftoMuslimseachaccordingtohisneed,sothattheutmostbenefitisgainedfor thegoodofthemall,asindividualsandasgroups.

ThisisstatedintheverseoftheQuran

"Andamongthemaremenwhoslander theeinthematter of(thedistributionof)thealms.Iftheyaregivenpartthereforetheyarepleased,butifnot,beholdtheyareindignant.IfonlytheyhadbeencontentwithwhatGodandhisMessenger gavethemandhadsaid:SufficientuntousisGod!GodandHisMessengerwillsoongiveusofHisbounty;toGoddoweturnour hopes!Thatwouldhavebeentherightcourse."

Thisshowsthatthehypocriteswerecontentonlywhentheyreceivedalms,dissatisfiedwhendeprivedofthem,andthattheProphetdispensedfromtheZakatfundshimself.

ZakatwasoneofthemainsourcesofrevenueoftheIslamicstate.ThemoneywasspentinaccordancewiththeQuranontheeightcategoriesmentioned.

For thesereasons,itisbesttopayZakattothestate,representedintermsinwhatitsetsupasspecialinstitutionsfor Zakat.Thisisthebestandthemostusefulwaytodistributeit,sincethepresentincreaseinpopulationandtheir manysidedpreoccupationsdoesnotgivethemthechancetoknowthetruthaboutothersinorder todecidewhoispoor,needy,etc.Weoftencomeacrossapersonwhoisabletoearnhisliving,andwhodoesinfactearnhislivinguseroundaboutwaystogetcharityinonewayor another.Inthatwaycharityisnotgiventothosewhodeserveit.

Asfor thestate,sinceitlooksafter thegoodofall,Andcanwithallthefacilitiesinhanddiscriminatebetweenthosewhodeservecharityandthosewhodonot,theinvestmentmultipliestheamountinawaythatmakesthebenefitwiderandbigger.TheindustrializationofacountryandthegrowthofitseconomyareagainbeneficialtothecommunityinthesamesortofwayasZakat.Withthisthewayisopenedfor theunemployedtofindwork.Itisanobviousfactthatunemploymentisareasonfor poverty;thoughitisnotthemainreason.

Again,suchaprocedureisstrengtheningtothestateitselfandithelpstoraiseitsprestigeitisasifgoodencompassesindividualandcommunityalike.TheIslamicStatewasfoundedonthecollectionofZakatthroughitsemployeeswhowereappointedfor thatparticular workafter thedeathoftheProphet.Theorder ofAbuBakr towagewar againsttheapsotatesinhistimeunderlinesthefactthatthestatewasfoundedonthecollectionofZakat.ThisstateofthingscontinuedthroughoutthetimeofOmar.Hisspeechafter hissuccessionprovesthat,for itmentionedwealthinthefollowingway

"TakeitfrommethatIshallnotcollectfromyoumorethanwhatisdue;thisIshalldistributeinajustway."ThisisaconfirmationofthenecessityofcollectingZakatanddispensingit.ThiscontinuedtobesothroughoutthetimeofUthmanuntilhewasassassinatedthentheMuslimsquarelledamongstthemselves.SomeofthempaidZakattothepublictreasury.

HistoryrelatesthatOmar IbnAbdelAzizusedtosendhisemployeestocollectZakatanddistributeit.YahyaibnSa'dsaysofthat:

"Omar IbnAbdelAzizsentmetocollectZakatfromAfrica.Ididso,thenIaskedfor thepoor whoshouldreceiveit.IdidnotfindanybecauseOmar IbnAbdelAzizhadmadeeveryonerich.Iusedthemoneytofreesomefromslavery."

Perhapsthebestassurancethatthepublictreasuryis.theplacewhichhastherightofcollectingZakatistheQuran,whenitstatesthatthosewhoadminister ithaveashareinit.Thosewhoadminister itareobviouslythosewhocollectit,thosewhoareappointedbythestatefor thispurpose.

THEOBJECTSOFZAKAT

TheobjectofZakatisthegoodoftheIslamicstate,withallitsindividualmembersaswellasthewholecommunity,anditsgeneralwelfare.Asfor theindividuals,Zakathastakencareofthepoor andtheneedyandthewayfarers.Asfor thecommunity,apartfromthefactthatthewelfareoftheindividualreflectsonthewelfareofthecommunity,ithasanother advantagerelatingtothosewhoareindebt.

Asfor thegoodofthestate,thisisrealizedthroughtheinsuringofanobler lifefor allindividualsthroughthelayingasideofasumofmoneytobespentinthewayofGod.ItisanobviousfactthatthewelfareoftheIslamicstateisassuredthroughtheconservationofthereligionofGodandthroughthosewhoseheartsarereconciled,whoalsoreapthefruitsofcharity.

Povertyisdefinitelythebiggestproblemtoconfronttheindividualduringhislifetime.Moststateshavetocontendwiththisinvaryingways.Thepoor manwholivesinarichcommunity,theindividualmembersofwhichdonotrespondtohimbygivingtohimsothathecanlive,feelsdeprived.Fromthisfeelingof,deprivationisbornthehatredofthiscommunityanditsmembers.Mostofthecrimescommittedbycertainindividualsareduetopoverty.Whenthepoor personfeelsthatheisanoutcasthishatredfor therichman,whokeepshismoneybackfromhim,grows.Mostoftherevolutionsthathavehappenedaremainlyduetopoverty,duetothefactthatthepoor feelthattheyareleftbehindinthecavalcadeofsociety.Evenintheinternationalscene,wefindthatmostwarsareduetothefactthatsomestatesdesiretoensurethewelfareandprosperityoftheir peoplesbyexpansion,aswellasbyraisingtheeconomicstandardinorder tofindfor thepoor themeanstolive.Moststates,however,haveresortedtovariousexperimentsintheattempttoensurethattheir peoplesareimmunefrompoverty.

Allother systemscannotstandonthesamelevelwiththeIslamicsystem,whichhaslaiddowntruecooperativesocialismbymeansofZakat,whichthepersonwhoisabletodosopaysastipulatedportioninaccordancewithwhathehasthisistruesocialism.

Andhepayswillinglyandbychoicethisistruecooperation

Zakatisalsoonewayofpreventingthespreadingofprinciplesthathelpmakethepoor grudgetherichtheir wealthandmakethemhatesociety.Itisthemeansofestablishingloveandfriendshipamongstpeople,richandpoor alike,afeelingofcooperativesocialism.

TheQurantellsusthatpeoplewhocollectZakatareentitledalsototakeashareofit.Thisismeanttocreatehonestyandintegrityandtocombatbriberyandasanincentivefor hardwork.

PartofthefundsofZakatarealsosetasidefor thosewhoseheartsarereconciled.Thisaimedatbringingpeopletogether andatpreventinganyharmtotheMuslims.

ThosewhoreceivedZakatunder thisheadinginthelifeoftheProphetwerepreventedfromreceivingitatthetimeofAbuBakr whenOmar proclaimedthattheyhadnorighttodoso,sincethepillarsofIslamweresolidlyerectedandstrengthenedallthosewhoworkfor thespreadofIslamcanbeconsideredamongstthosewhoseheartsarereconciled.

NowadaysthereisgreatneedtohavesomeofthepeoplewhosestatusandopinionisofweightintheinternationalfieldonthesideofIslam,especiallyatthepresenttime,sinceweliveinanageofpropaganda.ThisalsoincludesallthewaysandmeansthatastatemakesuseoftopropagateIslamoutsideitsrecognizeddomains,suchasarticles,pamphlets,or communicationswrittenbynonMuslimsandMuslimsalike,toachievethisgoal.Islamalsocalledfor thefreeingofslaves.For thataimitdesignatedpartoftherevenueofZakattobespentinthatdirection,sothatafreeandliberalsocietybesetup.

Another goodpointinfavour ofIslamisthatitcallsfor helpfor thoseindebt,thosewhoareheavilyindebtandaresonotbecauseofanyvice.Thereisnothingworsethanbeingindebt,noonemoremiserablethanthepersonwhohaslosthiswealthbecauseofsomemisfortune.Suchpeoplearedeservingofkindnessandhelp.Acommunitythatworksfor thehelpoftheabovementionedisasoundandperfectcommunity.ItistheIslamicCommunity.

Another portionofZakatisspentinthewayofGod.BythisismeantthestrategicmilitaryaspectofthedefenceofIslam.

Thewayfarersarethosewhoarefar awayfromtheir homelandandcannotreceivefundsfromthere.Zakatincludesthemalso.

AveryimportantobjectofZakatisthemoralandpsychologicalsatisfactionthatthepersonwhopaysgetsthroughhisfinegesture.Hefeelsthatheiscontributingtothebuildingofhissocietyandtomakingitsmembershappyandcontented.Bysodoinghefeelsthatheisfreedfromanxietyandconfusion.Dreisser,thewellknownpsychologicalnovelist,says

"Ifamanwantstoextracttheutmostjoyfromlifeheshouldworkfor thejoyofothers."Hisjoydependsontheir joyandthejoyofothersisalsorelatedtohisownjoy.

Zakatalsofreesmenfromthedominationofmoney,thisdominationthatsometimesleadsamantosicknessandeventosuicide.Theamassingofmoneyandmiserlinessarethefirstsymptomsofthisdomination.Theonlyactivewaytocombatitisgenerosityandcharity.Onesignofthisdominationuponamanishisturninghisbackuponanhonourablewayoflife.Heneglectshisneedsandtheneedsofhisfamilyandevenofhisreligion.

AnexampleofthatiswhathappenedtoTha'labaibnHatib,whoaccostedtheApostle(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim)saying:

"Pleaseprayfor mesothatGodmaygivemewealth".TheApostlereplied

"Thelittlemoneyfor whichyougivethanksismuchbetter thanthatyoucannotmanage".

Tha'labacameagainaskingtheApostlefor prayersTheApostle(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),replied

"WouldyounotwishtobelikeGod'sProphet.IfIwisnedthemountainstobetransformedintomountainsofgoldtheywouldbecomeso."Tha'labareplied

"ByGodifyouprayfor metobegivenmoney,Iwouldgiveeverybodyhisdue.TheApostleprayedfor himandhebecamerichinsheep,whichgrewandmaturedandbecamesonumerousthatalMadinawascrowdedwiththem".

Whenhisfortunemultipliedheusedtoprayatnoonandintheafternoon,leavingtheother prayers.Whenitmultipliedevenmoreheneglectedthattoo.ThentheApostle,(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),said

"WoetoTha'laba"Andherepeateditthreetimes.ThentheversesoftheQuranwererevealed

"AmongstthemishewhomadeacovenantwithGod(saying),

"IfHebestoweduponusHisbountywewillgivealms,andbetrulyamongstthosewhoarerighteousbutwhenHedidbestowofHisbounty,theybecamecovetous,andturnedback(fromtheir covenantaversetoitsfulfillment).SoHehasset,asaconsequence,hypocrisyintheir hearts,untilthedaywhentheyshallmeetHim,becausetheybroketheir covenantwithGod,andbecausetheylied.DotheynotknowthatGodknowsboththeir secretandthethoughtthattheyconfideandthatGodknowswellallthingsunseen?"

WhenTha'labaheardofithewenttotheProphetwithZakat.TheProphet(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),said

"Godhasforbiddenmetoacceptit."TheProphetdiedwithoutacceptingit.AbuBakr andOmar andUthmanfollowedsuit.Tha'labadiedduringthecaliphateofUthmanafter beingavictimofthedominationofmoney,whichpreventedhimfromprayers,andhedidnottrytopayZakatuntilheheardwhatwasrevealedintheQuranconcerninghim.HisZakatwasnotaccepted.HediedandonlyGodknowshispunishment.

Zakatisthebestsafeguardagainstthisdomination,whichincreaseswiththeincreaseofwealth.

Zakatisnotcharityinthesensethatthewordisusednowadays.Itis,arightofthepoor personwhofeelsthatitisasortoftaxofbrotherhood.Italsohastheadvantageofbeingpaidatacertainfixedtimeoftheyear.Onlyfruitandagriculturalproduceisexemptfromthat,for Zakatoffruitispaidassoonasitripens.Thisfixedtimeisanadvantage,sinceifcharityispaideverymonthoreveryweekitmightinjurethecapital,thusmakingtheowner ofthefundsdiscontentedwhenpayingit.

Inthesameway,payingcharityonceduringalifetimeisagaindisadvantageoustothosewhoreceiveit.

Zakatisimposedonverysmallfundswithapurposethatistoletthemajorityofanationtakepartintheimprovementofsociety,thushelpingtocreateloveandfriendshipamongstthem.Zakatisalsoamajor factor inthedistributionofwealth,andininauguratingnewindustries.

ManyforeignscholarshaverecognizedthevalueofZakat.Massignonsays

"Islamhaswithinitspinciplesthatwhichmakesitzealousinpropagatingtheconceptofequality,andthatistheobligationofZakat,whicheachindividualpaystotheTreasury".

Islamisagainstanyexchangewhichhasnorestriction,anditisalsoagainstkeepingwealthidle,andagainstusurersandindirecttaxation.Itsupportsindividualownershipandcommercalcapital.ItishalfwaybetweenthetheoriesofBourgeoisCapitalismandBolshovikCommunism.

TheseareonlysomeoftheobjectsofZakat,sinceallitsobjectscannotbedefined.

Thegoodthatemanatesfromitistooextensivetodelineatebecauseitcoversindividual,communityandstate.Whyshoulditnot,whenitisthesystemdefinedbyGodAlmightyandapprovedbyHiminthelastofreligions?Asfor reward,thatawaitsallthosewhorender it.

ThuswefindthatZakat,alongwithallIslamicrulesandobservances,aimsatthegoodofmankindinthisworldanditsdueandjustrecompenseintheother.