Charitable Acts   Abu Dharr, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away all the rewards. They observe the prayer as we do, and they keep the fasts as we do, and they give sadaqah (charity) from their surplus riches." Upon this he (the Prophet) said: "Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following … [Read more...]

ZAKAAT AND TAXES Zakaat, by definition, is an ordained right for specific wealth from a specific group at a specific time in order to achieve Allah's Pleasure and purify the self one, one's wealth and the society-at-large. Whereas a tax, by definition, is a burden determined by an authority (civil or otherwise). This authority collects it through compulsion and uses the revenue for general expenses and to achieve some economical, social or … [Read more...]

Now that we understand zakah, and its various conditions and calculation, we must now learn who it is payable to. Those who are entitled to receive zakah are grouped into eight categories, as determined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah says, "Sadaqat are only for the poor who do not beg and the poor who beg and those employed to collect them, and for attracting the hearts (of those who have been inclined towards Islam), and to free the captives … [Read more...]

  HOLDINGS SUBJECT TO ZAKAAT Gold and Silver In the past, paper currency was not known, and people used to barter using commodities. This is a completely impractical and ineffective method in large communities. People graduated in their types of transactions until they had settled on using gold and silver. When Allah sent His Messenger, people were dealing with gold as dinars and silver as dirhams. These moneys came to them from neighboring … [Read more...]

Scholars have established specific conditions or requirements for Zakat to be incumbent on the individual. Some of these conditions are related to the person that pays the Zakat and others to the property itself: ISLAM Zakah is only incumbent on Muslims. This is because it is one of the pillars of Islam. Allah says, "Take from their wealth a sadaqah in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your … [Read more...]

Linguistically, the word Zakah means purity and growth. Allah says, "Take from their wealth a sadaqah, in order to purify them and sanctify them (with it)." As an Islamic term, zakah is an, ordained right to specific wealth from a specific group at a specific time to achieve Allah's pleasure and to purify the self, wealth and the society as a whole'. Therefore … Zakah is * A TRANSFER OF POSSESSIONS and not a favor or a gift, given by the owner … [Read more...]