Zakat: Fourth Pillar of Islam

4. Zakat (Almsgiving):

 

Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam. The main idea behind zakat is that all the wealth that a person has, does not belong to them, it all belongs to Allah, therefore, anyone who is in need should have a share of it. Zakat which is giving as charity a part of your wealth, is a financial act of worship, it is due on the wealth kept in possession for one year. A certain percentage is taken from every kind of property to be given out to the poor to enable them to meet their needs. The Zakah fulfils the poor's needs, and purifies the donors from selfishness. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital. So important is this pillar that one is not considered a part of the Islamic brotherhood if one ignores this obligation. The act of Zakah purifies the heart from selfishness, greed, avarice and on the part of the recipient it lessens any feelings of hatred or envy to those who are better off.

DEFINITION OF ZAKAAT

Zakaat literally means to increase. Technically it means to purify one's possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount which has to be given to the poor as a fundamental Ibaadat.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan:

"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Baqarah 261)

The Prophet peace be upon him said.

"Never will charity diminish the wealth, rather it augments it."

BENEFITS OF ZAKAAT

It is stated in the Hadeeth that by giving zakaat the following benefits are derived:

• Gaining the pleasure of Allah;
• Increase in wealth;
• Protection from losses;
• Obtaining Allah's forgiveness and blessings;
• Safety from calamities;
• Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death;
• The Zakaat will provide shelter on the Day of Judgement;
• Security from seventy misfortunes;
• It will serve as a shield from the fires of Jahannam;
• It contributes to longevity;
• It saves from fear and grief.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAAT IS OBLIGATORY TO GIVE

• Gold & Silver (whether jewellery or any other form).
• Merchandise for business.
• Income derived from properties.
• Value of property bought for resale.
• Cash currency (on hand or in bank).
• Monies owing to you (details to be sought from an Aalim).
• Livestock (the Nisaab of livestock is different from above).

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAAT IS NOT OBLIGATORY

• Home for living.
• Household requirement e.g. furniture, car etc.
• Personal requirements (not of gold and silver.)
• Other precious metals or stones, such as diamonds which are for personal use.
• Fixtures and fittings and other equipment required to run the business e.g. delivery trucks etc.

NISAAB

The amount of wealth which makes one liable for zakaat is called Nisaab. The Nisaab of gold and silver fixed by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is as follows:

1. Gold 20 Mithqalis 87.48 grams 2,8125 Troy Oz.
2. Silver 200 Dirhams 612,36 grams 19,6875 Troy Oz.

The Nisaab of assets other than Gold and Silver (e.g. merchandise and cash etc.) will be the equivalent of what is lesser in value between Gold and Silver. (E.g. if the Nisaab of Gold is for instance R800 and the Nisaab of Silver is R500, then the Nisaab of the merchandise, etc. will be R500.
The rate of Zakaat is 1:40th i.e. 2.5% (2.5 cents in a Rand) annually.

UPON WHOM IS ZAKAAT COMPULSORY?

A sane adult Muslim possessing the above amount of gold and silver or excess wealth equivalent to the above will he liable to pay Zakaat, provided he has possessed it for a full year.
NOTE: Zakaat should be calculated according to the Islamic (Lunar) calendar as the Christian calendar falls about 11 days short each year.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAAT

• The Banu Hashim who are the children of Sayyadatina Fatima (RA) and all members of Rasoolullah (S.A.W.)'s family and wives (RA)
• Parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren.
• Institutions or organisations that do not give the rightful recipients (Masaarif) possession of Zakaat, but instead use Zakaat funds for consumption, investments or salaries etc.
• Non-Muslims.
• Zakaat cannot be given as remuneration for services rendered.

Ibn us Sabeel. Those persons who are Musaafirs (travellers in view of Shariat) and during the course of their jouney do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakaat in order to fulfill traveling needs.