ZAKAT: HOW TO PAY AND DISTRIBUTE IT

ZAKAT

The declaration of faith in Islam {shahadah} must be finding its way to the heart and be reflected in one’s actions and behaviour. A believer {Mumin} does not hesitate to spend his or her wealth in the cause of Allah and in fact its one of the obligatory duties in Islam and that is giving to the poor their dues which is called ZAKAT. It absolute different from charity {sadaqah} that is voluntarily given out of kindness which has no specific time and amount required. Of course even a smile that is felt on others heart is charity.

The term ZAKAT may be defined as: “The share a Muslim has to pay from his or her property to the poor or in a good cause”

Allah says “Take sadaqah (Alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it (Q9:103)

Importance: Zakat is one of the 5 major obligatory duties incumbent upon Muslims.

The Quran Says “And in their properties there is a defined right, to the needy and the deprived.”(Q70:24)

Zakat is a religious duty that applies in a certain types of wealth. A specific proportion is to be given away to the poor in a loving manner.

It applies only to Muslims and the payment is an obligation that would reduce the hardship of the plight of the poor and the needy and also foster good will and mutual regard between the Haves and Have-nots. It would counteract the feelings of rancour and envy and reduce the occurrences of crimes.



These are the ways and Nisab (measurement) of how to pay Zakat:

Dutiable Properties: The Duty of Zakat applies in five categories:-
1. Naqd ;( i.e.) Gold, Silver and money.
2. Merchandise, (i.e.) items held for the purpose of trade or business.
3. Cattle; i.e. oxen and cows, camels and sheep, goat and buffalos.
4. Minerals dug out from the ground.
5. Crops gathered from tilled Fields.

However, the obligation of Zakat applies only when the amount or the value of the property reaches a minimum measure, called NISAB, specified for each type of these properties and wealth.

Time of paying the Zakat: The Zakat of the crops, poultry and the likes are to be paid at the time of harvest. The Quran says: “Eat of their fruit and crops in their season and give out what is due in them on the day that the harvest is gathered.”(Q6:141).

The Zakat of minerals is due when the mineral or treasure has been excavated. However Imam Abu Hanifa said the duty of Zakat applies to the harvest whatever the amount may be.

The Zakat of the other items has to be paid at the end of the year, during which property has remained in the possession of its owner.

There are some scholars of the opinion that the one who receives salary worth of the Nisab should pay his own Zakat as he collects the salary after all domestic expenses and yet still worth the Nisab,other scholars said if after expenses the remaining is not up to the Nisab then he can save it until reached a year.

Another person is the one who receives scholarship worth the amount of Nisab should remove Zakat as he collects it.
We can get more on these principles in Maktaba Shamila its in software CD rum.

Amount of Zakat:

In the case of Money, gold, silver, merchandise, and dug out mineral the Nisab is the weight of 90grams gold or the value in money.

In the case of cattle, the Nisab is 30 cows i.e. you must have gotten 30 cows before you can remove Zakat out of it.

30 cows or 40 sheep or 5 camels and in the case of crops it the weight of 1400lbs but Imam Abu Hanifa said the duty of Zakat applies to the harvest whatever the amount may be.

To explain further, the Zakat in the crops is 10% of the harvest if irrigation of the field did not involve special efforts or cost, otherwise, it is only 5%.

The Zakat of mineral dug out is 2% of pure extracted amount.

Zakat in Oxen and Cows is as follows:
In 30 heads, it is a one yr old cow or ox
In 40 heads, it is a two yr old cow.
In 60 heads, it is 2 one yr old cows.
In 70 heads, it is a one yr old and a two yr old. And so on, one yr old cow in every 30 and two yrs old in every 40 heads of cows and oxen.

Zakat in Sheep and goats:

In 40 heads, it is one yearly lamb if they are sheep or a yearly goat if they are goats, but neither if they are mixed. However Imam Shafi said it must be a two years old goat.
In 121 heads, it is two
In 201 heads, it is three
In 400 heads, it is four, Then one more in every 100 heads etc.

Zakat in Camels:

In 5 heads, it is a year old lamb or ewe.
In 10 heads, it is 2 one yr; in 15 it is 3; and in 20 it is 4 old lambs and ewes.
In 25 heads, it is a one year old she camel
In 36 heads, it is 1 two year old she-camel.
In 46 heads, it is one 3years old she-camel
In 61 heads, it is one 4 year old she camel.
In 76 heads, it is 2 two year old She camels.
In 91 heads, it is 2 three year old she camels
In 121 heads, it is 3 two years old she camels.
In 130 or over by tens, it is one 2 years old she camel in every 30 heads and one 3 years old she camel in every 40 camels.

In the case of merchandise, it is 2.5% of its value at end of the year, taking into account the profit accrued which is to be added to the value of the goods and is to be considered in reaching the Nisab. Meaning, if the value of the goods, books, furniture, houses or anything else, is below the Nisab but reaches the Nisab with the addition of the profit, then the duty of Zakat applies and some scholars defers and said the duty of Zakat applies only when the profit reaches the Nisab without adding the capital.

In the case of Money, gold and silver, it is also 2.5% of the amount which has been in possession of its owner for one year, whether it is kept in the house or in the bank.

Note: the dutiable properties have to fulfill
A. the property must be owned by a Muslim who is a major of a sound mind not a baby, here scholars also defers with proof of a Hadith of the prophet (SAW) said “invest the money of the orphans to avoid it being zakatable after a year” so they deducted that for Zakat the rules of baby or matured is over rule and shows the levity of Zakat. Though Imam Abu Hanifa stated that Zakat does not apply in the property of a minor or a person who suffers mentally, on the grounds that Zakat is a type of worship and a Muslim who is minor or whose mind is unsound is not object to religious obligations.

B. That the amount of property should reach Nisab.

C. That the property, if it is gold, silver or money or merchandise should have reached one lunar year in the possession of its owner except huge salary earner and scholarship as stated above.

Recipients of the Zakat:
1. Those are who are in need and can not ask or don't have access to daily Bread.
2. Those whose income is too poor to meet any of their needs.
3. Those who have some income but it is not sufficient to cover all their needs.
4. Those employed in the service of Zakat ,to pay their wages
5. Those who are to be reconciled in favour of Islam; and also fresh convert if they need help.
6. In securing the freedom of a slave
7. In helping relieve a debtor
8. Those who are engaged in the defence of the faith
9. The wayfarer better than to beg.

In the Era of Islamic State, Zakat used to be collected and administered by the state but now it is left to the conscience of Muslim individual.

Allah Says in His book: “Verily those who recite the Quran and perform Salat and Spend in charity out of what we have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a sure trade-gain that will never perish.

That HE Allah may pay them their reward in full and give them even more out of His Grace. Verily! He is Oft-forgiving, most ready to appreciate good deeds and to recompense.”(Q35:29-30)

Dear Readers; sayings remain meaningless until they are embodied in Actions. Zakat is a way of showing appreciation to Allah and in fact we benefit from it because once you give, which will cleanse your wealth and makes it become more in surplus.

Some cause happiness wherever they; and some cause happiness whenever they go. What kind of person are you? A miser that whenever he left the world the whole families are in happy having access to his wealth.

I read in Saheeh Bukhari that a woman might have a miser as husband but the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “if a woman gives something (i.e.) in charity from her husband’s earnings without his permission, she will get half his reward”.(Bukhari) but scholars said this only goes for Sadaqah not Zakat.

No man is too big to be kind but many are too little, it is not how much you give; but how much Love we put into giving.

There is no different of opinions on the Nisab or the importance of zakat but there could be differences of opinion on those who are Zakatable, the recipient and years of dutiable properties.

The right information given here is from Allah; if wrong found, it is from me. I ask Allah Almighty to protect us and you from errors and from all that displeases him. I conclude my praising by "Alhamdulillahi rabbil-alameen" - Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

Allahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni! Meaning (OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me).

May Allah continue to Guide and Guard us aright. Amin
Wa Salaamu Alaikum Waramotullahi Wabarakatuhu


Allahu Mustahan