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DID YOU KNOW THAT ZAKAAT IS ONE OF THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM?

DEFINITION OF ZAKAATZakaat literally means to increase. Technically it means to purify one'spossession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount which has to be givento the poor as a fundamental Ibaadat.

THE VIRTUES OF ZAKAATAllah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan: "The parable of those who spend their wealthin the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each earhas a hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Baqarah261)

The Qur'aan states that wealth increases abundantly by giving zakaat. And thereward increases according to the sincerity of the Niyyah. In another AayahAllah says:

"Allah destroys wealth obtained from interest and will increase deeds ofcharity." (Baqarah 276)

"The shaytaan threatens you with poverty and bids you to coin evil and Allahpromises you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah is Bountiful All-Knowing."(Baqarah 268)

There is no Barakat and benefit from interest and it will either decrease orvanish altogether, whereas wealth spent in the way of Allah increases manifold.

BENEFITS OF ZAKAAT

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

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.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAAT

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan:

"And there are those who board gold and silver and do not spend it in the pathof Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Qiyamahheat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Jahannum, than with itthey will be branded on their foreheads and their flanks and backs. (It will besaid to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste thenthe treasure that you had been hoarding.' (Tawbah 34)

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Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) has said;

"The nation that does not give Zakaat, Allah will bring about a drought on them(i.e. necessities of life will become scarce).""The person on whom Allah has bestowed wealth, and he does not give Zakaat, onthe Day of Qiyaamah, his wealth will be turned into a venomous bald serpent

which will wind around his neck and bite his jaws and say: "I am your wealth, Iam your treasure." (Bukhari)Once Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) saw gold bangles on the hands oftwo women. He enquired if they gave the Zakaat for the bangles. They replied"No." Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) then said: 'Do you wish on theDay of Qiyaamah that you be made to dress in bangles of fire?" They replied:"No." He then said: 'Give Zakaat on them." (Tirmizi)ZAKAAT IS NOT A TAX - IT IS AN IBAADAHAllah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan: "(Take from their wealth Zakaat so that youmay cleanse them and purify them there-with.' (Tawbah 102). This Aayat points tothe fact that Zakaat is not a governmental tax, but its main purpose is to keepthose who are wealthy clean monetarily from sins.

There are two major benefits of giving Zakaat:

It keeps one away from sin and saves the giver from moral ills arising from thelove and greed for wealth;Through Zakaat the poorer class, (those who are not capable of providing forthemselves) are being cared for, such as widows, orphans, the disabled, the poorand the destitute, and it is intact a vital part of the elaborate and equitablesystem of the distribution of wealth established by Allah for mankind.Even if there are no widows, orphans, poor or needy persons, Zakaat is stillincumbent upon Muslims. This clearly shows that Zakaat is not solely for givingto the destitute and the poor but has been ordained as a monetary devotion. Inthe same manner that Salaat and Sawm are a physical devotion, Zakaat is a

monetary Ibaadah. It is a special favour of Allah on this Ummah, and in thismanner the wealth which is spent in the way of Allah is made lawful for use bythe poor and the needy.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAAT IS FARDH

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 FARDH

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.If liabilities exceed assets.

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NISAABThe amount of wealth which makes one liable for zakaat is called Nisaab. TheNisaab of gold and silver fixed by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu layhi Wasallam) isas follows:

Gold 20 Mithqalis 87.48 grams 2,8125 Troy Oz.

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 excesswealth equivalent to the above will he liable to pay Zakaat, provided he haspossessed it for a full year.

NOTE: Zakaat should be calculated according to the Islamic (Lunar) calendar asthe 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 membersof 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, thoughthey are well to do at home. They could be given Zakaat in order to fulfiltravelling needs.