🌙 Zakat: The Pillar of Purity and Social Justice in Islam🌙
# 🌙 Zakat: The Pillar of Purity and Social Justice in Islam🌙
## ✦ Introduction
Islam is a complete code of life that not only governs spiritual matters but also addresses social and economic systems. Among the five fundamental pillars of Islam, **Zakat** holds a prominent place — second only to **Salat (prayer)**.
Zakat is not merely a charitable act; it is a **divinely mandated financial obligation** that purifies the wealth of the giver and ensures economic balance in society. The significance, spiritual and social benefits, calculation, recipients, and scholarly references from the Qur'an and Hadith are all examined in depth in this article. ---
## The Meaning of Zakat ### Linguistic Meaning:
The Arabic root "-- (z-k-w)" is the source of the word "Zakat ()," which means "purity, growth, and increase." ### Shari'ah Definition:
Zakat refers to a specific **portion of wealth** (usually 2.5%) that a Muslim is **obliged to give** annually to specified categories of recipients if their wealth reaches the **Nisab (minimum threshold)** and is retained for one lunar year.
> **“Take, \[O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” **
> — *Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah (9:103)*
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## ✦ Obligation of Zakat in Islam
Zakat is **Fard (obligatory)** on every **adult, sane, free, Muslim** whose wealth reaches or exceeds the Nisab for one lunar year.
> **The Prophet ﷺ said:**
> *“Islam is built upon five \[pillars]: the testimony of faith, establishing the prayer, giving the Zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj.” *
> — *Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 8*
Zakat is repeatedly mentioned in the Qur’an along with Salat:
> **“And establish prayer and give Zakat...” **
> — Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 110 of the Qur'an ---
## ✦ Consequences of Not Giving Zakat
Neglecting Zakat is a **major sin** and incurs severe punishment in the Hereafter.
> **“And those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah — give them tidings of a painful punishment.” **
> — *Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah (9:34)*
> **The Prophet ﷺ said:**
> *“Anyone whom Allah has given wealth, and he does not pay its Zakat, his wealth will be made into a bald-headed venomous snake on the Day of Resurrection...” *
> — *Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1403*
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## ✦ Importance and Virtues of Zakat
1. Purification of the soul and wealth 2. **Blessed by Allah, increases wealth** 3. **Promotes social justice**
4. **Eradicates poverty**
5. **Strengthens community bonds**
> **The Prophet ﷺ said:**
> *“Charity does not decrease wealth.” *
> — Hadith 2588, Sahih Muslim ---
## ✦ Nisab (Minimum Threshold for Zakat)
Zakat becomes obligatory when a Muslim owns wealth equal to or above the **Nisab** for one lunar year.
| Type of Wealth | Nisab (approximate) |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Gold | 87.48 grams (7.5 tolas) |
| Silver | Weight: 612.36 grams (or 52.5 tolas) | | Cash/Trade Goods | Equivalent to value of gold or silver |
> **Note:** According to Hanafi fiqh, silver is often used as the Nisab benchmark because it benefits more poor people.
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## The Rates of Zakat | Wealth Category | Zakat Rate |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Gold, Silver, Cash | 2.5% (1/40th) |
| Trade Goods | 2.5% |
| Agricultural Produce | 5% (with irrigation) or 10% (rain-fed) |
| Livestock | Specific rules (detailed in Fiqh) |
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## Zakat-Eligible Beneficiaries Allah mentions **eight categories** of people in the Qur’an who are entitled to receive Zakat:
> **“Zakat expenditures are only for:**
>
> 1. The poor (**fuqara**)
> 2. The needy (**masakeen**)
> 3. People who were hired to collect it (amilin) > 4. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled (**muallafatul qulub**)
> 5. To free captives (**riqab**)
> 6. Those who owe money (gharimeen) > 7. For Allah's sake (**fi sabilillah**) > 8. For the traveler (**ibn al-sabil**)
> **— an obligation from Allah. **”
> — *Surah At-Tawbah (9:60)*
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Who is ineligible to receive Zakat? Zakat **cannot** be given to the following:
One's parents and grandparents The individual's children and grandchildren * **Spouse**
* **Rich and wealthy individuals**
* **Non-Muslims** (except for muallafatul qulub)
* **Banu Hashim (Prophet’s family)**
> "The Prophet" stated: > "Verily, charity is not allowed for Muhammad or his family." *
> — *Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1072*
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## The Way to Determine Zakat ### Step-by-Step:
1. List all your **Zakatable assets**:
* Money in the bank * Assets of the company * Gold and silver
* Receivable debts
2. Subtract **liabilities**:
* Debts due right away * Bills or taxes due
3. If it meets the Nisab and one lunar year has passed, figure **2.5%** of the remaining amount. > "Formulation:" > *(Total Assets - Immediate Liabilities) × 2.5% = Zakat Due*
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## ✦ Modern Methods of Zakat Payment
* **Bank transfer / Mobile wallets**
*Zakat calculators available online** * **Zakat funds and trusts**
* **Registered Islamic charities (e.g., Islamic Relief, Akhuwat, Human Appeal)**
> *Important:* Always ensure the recipient is **truly eligible**.
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## ✦ Zakat vs. Sadaqah
| Aspect | Zakat | Sadaqah |
| ------------ | ------------------------------ | ------------------------ |
| Obligation | Mandatory (Fard) | Voluntary (Nafl) |
| Fixed Amount | Yes (2.5 percent or more) | No fixed amount | | Recipients | Only specific 8 categories | Anyone in need |
| Time | Once a year (after lunar year) | Anytime |
| Purpose | Purification of wealth | Charity, goodwill, mercy |
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## ✦ Spiritual and Social Impact of Zakat
### Spiritual Benefits:
* Purifies heart from greed and attachment
* Strengthens faith and gratitude
* Aligns wealth with worship ### Social Benefits:
* Reduces poverty and inequality
* Promotes a caring community
* Ensures economic equity > **Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) said:**
> *“Allah has made the wealth of the rich a means of provision for the poor. So if the poor suffer from hunger, it is because the rich are withholding it.” *
> — *Nahj al-Balagha*
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## ✦ Misconceptions about Zakat
1. **“I pay taxes, so I don’t need to give Zakat.” **
The state imposes taxes, and Zakat is a religious obligation. 2. **“Zakat is only for beggars.” **
→ Zakat is for all eligible needy, not just street beggars.
3. **“Zakat is optional.” **
→ Zakat is obligatory; denial of it can lead to apostasy (per Islamic law).
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## ✦ Poetic Reflection on Zakat
**Poem:**
> Zakat purifies the gold you own,
> And seeds of blessings it has sown.
> A bright path, a fireproof shield, > It turns your wealth to sacred light.
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## 📚 Authentic References
1. The Holy Qur'an * Surah At-Tawbah: 9:34, 9:60, 9:103
* Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:110
2. **Sahih al-Bukhari**
* Hadith 8, 1403
3. **Sahih Muslim**
* Hadith 2588, 1072
4. **Fiqh-us-Sunnah**, Sayyid Sabiq
5. **Al-Mughni**, Ibn Qudamah
6. **Hidayah**, Imam al-Marghinani
7. **Fatawa al-Hindiyya** (Hanafi jurisprudence)
8. **Zad al-Ma'ad**, Ibn Qayyim
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## ✦ Conclusion
Zakat is more than just giving; it is also an act of faith, worship, and justice. It builds a society based on compassion and responsibility while simultaneously purifying the giver's heart and wealth. It is essential for every eligible Muslim to learn about Zakat, calculate it accurately, and ensure it reaches those who are truly in need. Zakat is a means of salvation — in this world and the Hereafter.
> **“And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah, He will replace it; and He is the Best of Providers.” **
> — *Qur’an, Surah Saba (34:39)*
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