Zakat....An Obligation

The zakat is an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims, as well as preserving social harmony between the wealthy and the poor. Zakat promotes a more equitable redistribution of wealth, and fosters a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Ummah.

Zakat
(The obligatory yearly tax on Muslims to pay for the poor and needy)

The Noble Qur'an At-Taubah 9:60
As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ' (poor), and Al-Masâkin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allâh's Cause (i.e. for Mujâhidûn - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.

Help others to have a good "Ramadan"

The Noble Qur'an - Al-Baqarah 2:267
O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allâh is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise.

If you have a heart then give....

What happens when you do not discharge your Zakaah on time ???

If a debt of $10 000 is due to you today on 30 April 2011 is paid to you by the debtor after 10 years, you will not be able to buy at that time what you can buy with the same amount of money today. This is due to the normal economic factor of inflation.

There are, of course, some abnormal economic circumstances, when a currency is much higher value later in relation to certain other foreign currencies.

Thus, by not discharging the Zakaah on time, you actually deprive those entitled to that Zakaah from the economic benefits of that money which they can presently acquire. Since, they, also would not be able to benefit from receiving that money ten years later in the manner that they can benefit from it in the period that it was due to them.

If Zakaah is unjustifiably discharged only years after it is due, or only paid you’re your estate after death, you have actually executed an economic injustice to the recipients. The same applies to institutions who hoard Zakaah Money for years on end living with unjustified fears of the Zakaah money getting finished.

Some Islamic institutions which collect and distribute Zakaah have also lost Zakaah money through theft purely because the concern for the distribution to the recipients was either not present or because such funds were not adequately protected. Negligent loss of Zakaah funds is worse than its deferred distribution. (by Ustadh, Ahmed Fazel Ebrahim Johannesburg, South Africa)


There are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to receive zakat funds :

1-those living in absolute poverty (Fuqara)
2-those who cannot meet their basic needs (Al Masakin)
3-the zakat collectors themselves (Al Amiliyn)
4-people whom one is attempting to persuade, who might convert to Islam (Al Muallaf Ghullubahum)
5-people whom one is attempting to free from slavery or bondage (Fi Al Riqab)
6-those who have incurred overwhelming debts while 7-attempting to satisfy their basic needs (Al Gharmin)
7-those fighting for a religious cause (Fi Sabillillah)
8-travelers in need (Ibnu Al Sabil)

Zakat may not be given to descendents of the prophet Muhammad(SAW), nor may it be given to parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, or spouses. It is also forbidden to disburse zakat funds to organizations that pay salaries to their employees, or use the money for investments.