BY
ABD EL-RAZZAK NOFAL
ThisbookisthefirstinaseriesdesignedtostateasbrieflyaspossibletheessentialsofIslam.
Noquestionsofhistoryor philosophyhavebeenraisedor discussed.TheplaintruthsaboutIslamhavebeenstatedinaclear andconcisemanner.
ItishopedthatpeoplewithverylittleknowledgeofIslamwillfindinthisseriesadirectintrodutiontotheessentialsofIslam.ItwillhelpeventhosewhowanttobeinitiatedintothestudyofIslam.
SHAWKYSUKKARY
"ALZAKAT"THEPOORDUETheThirdPillar ofIslam
AlmightyAllahimposedZakzatonallMuslimsandgavethemordersregardsregardingitinmanyversesoftheQuran.For example
"Andbesteadfastinprayers,paytheZakat,andwhatever goodyousendforthbeforeyoufor your souls,youshallfinditwithGod,for Godseeswellwhatyoudo"
ThismentionofZakatintheQuranoccursinsome32verses.Inmostofthemitiscoupledwithprayers,andthisemphasisestheimportancewhichtheQuranplacesuponZakat.
GodhaspromisedallwhofulfillZakatgreatreward.Thisisillustratedinverseslike
"Andestablishregular prayersandpaytheZakatandloantoGodagoodlyloan.whatever goodyousendforthbeforeyoufor your souls,youshallfinditinGod'sPresence,better andgreater inreward."Whatbetter rewardistherethanGod'smercy?
Asfor thosewhorefrainfromcharityandwhodonotpractiseZakat,their punishmentwillbesevere
"AndwoetothosewhojoingodswithGod...whodonotpaytheZakatanddonotbelieveintheHereafter".Likewise:
"Woetotheworshipperswhoareneglectfuloftheir prayers,thosewhowouldbeseen(atworship),butabstainfromgoodworks".Andalso:
"Andthosewhohoardupgoldandsilver andspenditnotinthewayofGod,announceuntothemamostgrievouspenalty...OntheDaywhenitwill(all)beheatedinthefireofHell,andtheirforeheads,sidesandbackswillbebrandedtherewith(andtheywillbetold):Thisiswhatyouhoardedupfor yourselves;tasteofthatwhichyouhoarded."
Treasureheremeanswealthoutofwhichacertainamountisnotdedicatedfor charity(Zakat)evenifitisputawayandnotinvested.
Asfor thewealthuponwhichZakatispaiditisnotconsidered`treasure'evenifitis`putaway
"AndletnotthosewhocovetouslyhoardupthatwhichGodhasgiventhemofHisbountythinkthatitisbetter for themmayitwillbetheworsefor them.Thatwhichtheyhavehoardedavariciouslywillbeasacollar ontheir necksontheDayofJudgement".
Zakatisalsooftheconditionsfor theacceptanceoftherepentanceofpagans.Itisaconditionfor abstainingfromwagingwar onthem,astheQuranspecifies:
"Butwhenthesacredmonthshavepassed,thenfightandslaytheidolaterswhereyoufindthem,andseizethem,beleaguer them,andlieinwaitfor themineveryambush.Butiftheyrepent,andestablishregular prayersandpracticeZakatthenletthemgotheir way,for godisForgiving,Merciful".
SimilarlyZakatisalsoproofthatpaganshaveembracedIslam,andbrotherhoodtowardsthemisthedutyofallother Muslims,astheQuranicversestates
Butiftheyrepent,establishregular prayers,andpaytheZakattheyareyour brethreninfaith".
Muhammad(PrayersandGod'sPeacebeuponhim)advisedthepracticeofZakatinmanyofhissayings.For example,itisrelatedofhimthatheaddressedthepeoplesaying:
"Opeople,He(Gabriel)cametomefrommyLordwhilstIwasasleepandsaidtome:OMuhammad,thosewhopraybutdonotpracticeZakat,their prayersarenotacceptable,andthosewhopractiseZakatbutdonotpray,their Zakatisnotacceptable.HewhowitholdsZakatisontheDayOfJudgementequaltohewhohasnotpractisedit".
MuhammadalsomentionsZakatinoneofhissayingsasoneofthefivepillarsofIslam:"IslamisbuiltuponfivepillarstestimonyofbeliefinoneGodandMuhammadasHisprophet,prayers,Zakat,fastinginthemonthofRamadanandthePilgrimagetoMecca".
For thatreason,whenMuhammadsenthisenvoystopreachIslam,headvisedthemtocallpeopletoworshipGodandthentopayZakat,takingfromtherichtogivetothepoor.
HealsoadvisedMuazwhenhesenthimtoYemensaying
"YouaregoingtoapeoplewhohaveaScripture.SocallthemfirsttoworshipGod;andwhentheyhaveacknowledgedGodtellthemthatGodimposesZakatonthem,takenfromtherichandreturnedtothepoor.Iftheyobeyacceptitfromthem,andheedthepleaofthedowntrodden,for betweenitandGodthereisnobarrier.
He,whorefusestheobligationofZakatisanunbelieverwhomustrepentor bekilledliketheonewhoapostatizes.AbuBakr (theGraceofGodbeuponhim)killedthosewhoapostatizedwhentheyrefusedtopayZakatandsaid"ByGod,weretheytoholdbackaduewhichtheyusedtopaytotheMessenger ofGod,Iwouldwageholywar againstthem".Andheorderedwar tobewagedagainstthemsaying:"Ishallfightallthosewhomakeadistinctionbetweenprayer andZakat."
CLASSIFICATIONOFZAKAT
Zakatisdividedintotwomaincategories
1. ZakatofalFitr (i.e.thebreakingofthefastattheendofRamadan.ItisalsoreferredtoastheZakatofthebody.
2. Zakatofwealth.
ZakatofalFitr:
Muhammadorderedthatthiskindofcharityshouldbeobservedinthesameyear inwhichthefastingduringRamadanwasimposed.
Aday,or twodaysprecedingalFitr theProphetaddressedtheMuslimssaying:
"Givefor charity,beitcornor dates;giveaccordingtowhatyouare,freeor slave,youngor old."
ItisalsorelatedbyalBukhariandMuslimthattheProphet(Prayer andGod'sPeacebeuponhim)imposedthecharityofalFitr after Ramadan,ameasureofdatesor barleyonallMuslims,slaveor free,youngor old,maleor female.
THOSEWHOHAVETOPRACTISEZAKATALFITR
ZakatalFitr doesnotbecomenullifiedifoneisaMuslim,providedtheMuslimisfreeandpossessestheamountofZakatafter coveringtheexpensesoffoodfor himself,andthosewhomhefeedsfor adayandanight,together withtheexpenditurewhichheincursinrelationtowife,son,servantsandthosewhomhehastoprovidefor suchasparentsandothers.
Itsamount:
Theamountiseither ameasureofdates,or barley,or rice,or corn,or anythingelseediblethatcanbeusedfor food,fromeachindividual.
IfZakatistoconsistofwheatitishalfthatfor eachperson.AmanmustconsciouslyintendZakat,sincewithoutintentitisnotvalid.
ZakatincashvariesinestimationaccordingtothecurrentvalueofmoneyatthetimeofZakat.
TheHanafisectallowsthepersontopayincashfor Zakat,indeed,itconsidersthatthisispreferablebecauseitismoreusefultothepoor,sincetheyknowwhattheyneedmostitmightbefoodanditmightbemedicine.
ThetimetopractiseZakatalFitr:
AllthelearnedhaveagreedthatthetimetopractiseitistheendofRamadan.Theydisagreeuponthetimeofday,whether itistobesunsetonthedayprecedingalFitr or dawnonthedayofthefeast.
Onethingiscertain,andthatisalZakathastobefulfilledbeforegoingouttotheprayers.
IbnOmar said:"TheProphetorderedustofulfilZakatalFitr beforegoingouttoprayers'.
Itisalsopermittedtooffer itadayor twobeforethatdate:OthersevensaythatoneisallowedtodosofromthebeginningofRamadan.Itisdefinitelynotpermittedafter thedayofthefeast.ItisthennotZakatbutSadaqa(alms).
Itisrelated,throughIbnAbbas,thatProphetMuhammad(PrayersandGod'sPeacebeuponhim)orderedZakatalFitr aspurificationfor theonewhofastsfromvainthings,andasahelpandsustenancetothepoor.Hewhopractisesitbeforetheprayer,hisZakatisacceptable,butfor hewhofulfilsitafter theprayer itissimplySadaqa(almsgiving).
ZakatalFitr doesnotbecomenullifiedifoneislateinfulfillingititisstilladutyfor allMuslims.
Amanmustfulfilitsomehow,or elsehisaccountwillbesettledinrelationtoitonthedaywhennorepentanceisacceptedandnomoneyisavailable.
UseofZakatalFitr:
Ithasmanyusesandbenefitsfor thosewhofulfillitandfor societyasawhole.
Theonewhofulfillsitispurifiedthroughitfromthatwhichmighthavespoiledhisfasting,suchasvainactsor unseemlyspeechwhichheisrequiredtoabstainfrom,asheabstainsfromeatingor drinking,or lustsofthefleshandthereishardlyapersonwhoisnotopentothesesothatZakatisapurificationtothosewhofast.PerhapsthatiswhatismeantbythesayingofMuhammad:
"FastinginthemonthofRamadanliessuspendedbetweentheearthandHeaven.Itisonlyraised(toHeaven)byZakatofalFitr"
Itisalsoadutybindinguponeverysinglepersonfallingunder theguidanceofthefaster,youngor old,freeor slave.ItisthustheZakatofthebody,asitistheZakatofalFitr.Fromthisdeduction,comesthehopethattoGodAlmightyitisameansofpreservingthebodiesofallwhofulfillit,andofpurifyingandimprovingtheir bodiesThataswhatismeantbyHiswords
"Oftheir goodtakealms,sothatyoumaypurifyandimprovethemthereby".
Asfor benefitstosociety,weallrealisethatit(alZakat)providesfor thepoor inawaythatmakeshumilityunnecessaryonthatday.ThatisexplainedbytheProphet'ssaying
"Relievethemofthenecessityofgoingaround(lookingfor alms)onthisday."
Another benefittosocietyisthatall,poor andrichalike,feelthegeneraljoyofthatday.Itisnotfor therichonly.
Also,thepoor personwhoreceivesalmsfeelsrichonthatdaybyreceivingthem.He,therefore,seekswaysofpractisingcharityhimselfandthatdayhefeelsthathetooisagiver andtakesdelightingiving.
Hebecomesaccustomedtothefeeling,albeitrare,thatheisonetodogoodandnottohavegooddonetohim.Itscondition:
TofulfilthiskindofZakatapersonmustbe:
1)AMuslim,for Zakatisnotadutyfor thenonMuslim.
2)Free,for slavesarenotsupposedtopayit.
3)Tohavereachedmajority.Itisnotbindingupontheminor ;itisbindinguponhiswealthanditisthedutyofhisguardiantoextractitfromhis(theminor's)wealth.
4)Sane,for Zakatisnotadutyfor theinsane.Itis,nevertheless,thedutyofhisguardiantoproduceitfromtheperson'swealth.Itisthusenforceableuponthewealthoftheinsane.
5)Hemusthavethetotal(intermsofwealth)whichentailspaymentofZakat.
6)Thistotalshouldhavebeenhisfor specifiedtimeinorder tojustifyZakati.e.for oneyear or 12lunar months.
Thisdoesnotapplytoproduceor fruitsoftheland.ThetimetofulfilltheZakatontheseisthetimeofharvesting,whenthefruitsandproducearefullyripe.ThisisspecifiedintheQuran:
"Eatoftheir fruitintheirseason,butrender thedues!thatareproper onthedaythattheharvestisgathered".
KINDSOFWEALTHONWHICHAIZAKATISLEVIED
Livestock,suchascamels,cows,buffaloes,sheepandgoats.Other kindsoflivestockarenoteligiblefor Zakatunlesstheyareusedasmerchandise;thentheZakatfor tradeapplies.
Zakatisimposedontheaboveanimalsonconditionthattheygrazethecommonpasture.Theyareconsideredinexpensiveandalsouseful,for theybreed,their fleshisedibleandtheir milkisdrunk.Theydonotcostthepersonwhoownsthemmuch.
Ontheother hand,iftheanimalisstallbredthennoZakatisduebecauseoftheexpenseandeffortinvolvedinfeedingit.Butinthecaseoftheworkinganimal,sinceitproducesbyitsworkinploughingor irrigation,thenZakatisdueitisasifZakatonagriculturalproduceweretoincludeworkinganimals.
ZakatofCamels:
Thisappliesinexcessoffivecamels.Ifapersonownsthatnumber,heshouldpayZakatattherateofasheepfor thefivecamels,andsofor eachfiveuptoatotalof25camels,for whichhemustgiveayear oldshecamelwithZakat.
Ifheowns36,heshouldincludeatwoyear oldshecamel.
Ifhiswealthamountsto46camels,heshouldincludeathreeyear oldshecamel.Ifheowns61,heshouldinclude(withZakat)afouryear oldshecamel.Ifhehas73,heshouldinclude2twoyear oldshecamels,amongstZakat.
Ifheowns91camels,heshouldinclude2threeyear oldshecamelsandsimilarlyupto120.Ifmore,atwoear oldshecamelfor eachadditional40andathreeyear oldshecamelfor eachadditional50camels.
ZakatofCows:
Itstartswithhewhohasthirty.Atthatpointheshouldgiveonethatisayear old.Ifthenumber isforty,heshouldgiveonethatistwoyearsold.Ifhehasmorethanforty,heshouldgiveonethatisayear oldfor everythirty,andonethatistwoyearsoldfor everyforty.
ZakatofSheepandgoats:
Itstartswiththeowningoffortysheep.Ifapersonownsforty,heshouldgiveonefemalefromwhatever thekindmaybe.Ifsheepitistobeasheep,ifgoatsagoat,ifmixedsheepandgoatsthenitistakenfromwhichever ismostnumerous.Ifthetotalreaches121,thentwofemalesmustbeincluded,andifitreaches201thenthreemustbeincluded,andalsoonefor eachhundredinexcessofthat.
ZakatofGoldandSilver:
Zakatisimposedongoldandsilver.Ifapersonowns20mithqalofgoldheisliabletoZakat.
Themithqalequalsadinarwhichinturnequals4.25gms.
TheamountofgoldliabletoZakatis85gms.Zakatfor thisamountis2.5%ofitsvalue.
Asfor silver,`zakatstartsat200dirhams,whichequalfiveouncesor 591gmsofsilver.`zakatpaidfor thisamountisalso2.5%.
Thereisoneconditionfor Zakatofgoldandsilver theowner shouldhavetheabovementionedamountsfor ayear,atleast.ItisexemptfromZakatifitisintheshapeofJewelryusedfor ornamentation,exceptwiththeHanafisect.Theamountfor theZakatofgoldandsilver isaquarter ofthetenth;thatis2.5%ofitsvalue.
Thistaxalsoincludesanyduesfromtrade.Itisthenonequarter ofatenthofthecapitalusedintrade.
ZakatofProduceandFruits:
Zakatisalsodueonfruitsandproduce.Itisimposedonseedsgrain,datesandgrapes,iftheamountharvestedequals4Egyptianirdabbsand2kaylas.Anirdabbequalsabout330pounds,andakaylaisabout28pounds.Theamountwhichitisnecessarytopayequalsonehalfofatenthiftheowner usesmachinerytotillandirrigatehisland,whichmightinvolvehiminsomeexpenses.Ifhedoesnotusemachinery,butdependsonhisowneffortsfor tillingandon'rainfor irrigation,or onsmallcanals,thentheamountshouldreachonetenthofthecropor harvest.
THATWHICHISEXEMPTFROMZAKAT
ThefollowingareexemptfromZakat:
Privateabode,personalclothing,furniture,weapons,animalsusedfor transport,jewelssuchaspearls,rubies,etc...whicharenottradedin,booksthatarenotfor tradeequipmentusedfor handicraftfromwhichtheowner earnshisliving,suchasahammer,etc.
THEUTILISATIONOFZAKAT
TheQuranhasdefinedthepersonstoreceivealmsinthefollowingwords:
"Almsarefor thepoor andtheneedyandthoseemployedtoadminister the(funds),for thosewhoseheartshavebeenrecentlyreconciled,andthoseinslavery,andinthedebt,andinthewayofGod,andfor thewayfarer".
Thepoor (alfuqara)arethosewhodonotownenoughtobeliabletoZakatandthosewhodonothaveenoughtocarrythemthroughtheyear.
Asfor theneedy(almasakin),thereisadifferenceofopinionastowhether theyor thepoor `(alfuqara)areworseoff.Theneedyitissaid,arethosewhoownnothingandowingtoageor sicknesscannotearnanything.
thoseemployedtoadminister thefundsarethepersonsappointedbytheheadofgovernment.Amongstthemarelabourersandpublicofficials.Allthesearepaidaccordingtotheir respectivework.
Thosewhoseheartshavebeenrecentlyreconciledweretherichchiefsoftribeswhomtheheadofstatethoughtitnecessarytoplacatefor thegoodofIslam.TheProphet(God'sPrayer andPeacebeuponhim)distributedamongsttheir likesomealmsandbootyinorder toensurespecialaimsinspreadingIslamor topreventanyharmbeingdonetothefaithful.TheywereexemptfromZakatatthetimeofAbuBakr,ontheadviceofOmar,whenhegavehimtounderstandthattheconcessionsgrantedtothemweretemporary,inaccordancewiththeneedsofIslam;andGodstrengthenedIslamandtherewasnoneedtoplacatethem.Someof`thelearnedthinkthatitistherightoftheheadofstatetouseplacator measurestilltheDayofJudgement;andthatifheconsidersitofusetospendsomeofZakatuponthosewhoseheartsarereconciled,heisallowedtodothisintheserviceofIslam.
Thoseinslaverythatisthefreeingoftheslaveandtheraisingoftheir statusalthoughslaverynolonger exists.
Thoseindebtarethosewhohavebeenweigheddownbytheir debtsandtheycannotpayprovidedthatthecauseofdebtisnotanyvice,or mishandlingofmoney.
InthewayofGodmeansthosewhofightonaraidor intheHolyWar inthewayofGod;andsimilarlyallthatisbeneficialtoGod'sreligion.
Thewayfarer isthestranger whoisfar awayfromhishome.
STIPULATIONSGOVERNINGTHERECEIPTOFZAKAT
ThosewhoreceiveZakatinanyoftheabovecategories,inadditiontothespecialstipulationsfor eachcategory,mustbeMuslim,free,notofBaniHashim,or ofBaniAbdelMuttalib,oraslaveofeither.Heshouldhavereachedmajority,havefulluseofhisintellect,andbewiseindisposingofit.
Andtheeightcategoriescanbethoughtoftogether ingeneralterms,unlesstheheadofstatemakesadistinctionbetweenthem.
Zakatshouldbelimitedtothetownor placeofthefunds.
Theintentiontopayisimperative,althoughmakingitpublicisnotnecessaryfor thatimpliesthehurtingofthefeelingsofthepoor personandbringinghometohimahatefulfacthispovertyandhumiliation.
THERIGHTOFTHESTATEINCOLLECTINGZAKATANDDISPENSINGIT
InmanyversestheQuranmentionsthatcharityisadutythatmustbefulfilled
"Andrender tothekindredtheir duerights,as(also)tothoseinwant,andtothewayfarer:butsquander not(your wealth)inthemanner ofaspendthrift."
"Sogivewhatisduetothekindred,theneedy;andthewayfarer.Thatisbestfor thosewhoseekthecountenanceofGod;anditistheywhowillprosper.That,whichyelayoutfor increasethroughthepropertyof(other)people,willhavenoincreasewithGod:butthatwhichYelayoutfor Zakat,seekingthecountenanceofGod,(willincrease).Itisthesewhowillgetarecompensemultiplied".
"Astotherighteous,theywillbeinthemidstofgardensandsprings,takingjoyinthethingswhichtheir Lordgivesthembecausebeforethattheylivedagoodlife.theywereinthehabitofsleepingbutlittlebynight,andinthehoursofearlydawnthey(werefound)prayingfor forgiveness,andintheirwealthandpossessions(wasremembered)therightofthe(needy)onewhoasked,andhewhowasprevented(fromasking)..."
"Exceptthosedevotedtoprayer,thosewhoremainsteadfasttotheir prayer,andthoseinwhosewealthisarecognizedright(for theneedy),for hewhoasksandhewhoisprevented(fromasking)."
Weallknowthatrightshavetoberendered.ToguaranteethisrenderingtheProphet(ThePrayer andPeaceofGodbeuponhim)collectedalmsthroughthoseheappointed.TheQuranhaddecreedthatthosewhocollectalmscanalsoreceivealms.Itisadefinitefactthatmostoftheapostatesafter thedeathoftheProphetapostatizedbyrefusingtorender Zakatdecreeduponthem.
ThefactthatAbuBakr issuedordersthattheyshouldbefoughtconfirmsthatitisadutyofthestatetocollectZakatandenforceituponallwhohavetorender it.
Asfor thedistinctionofZakat,itisknownthattheProphet(thePrayer andPeaceofGodbeuponhim)usedtodistributeithimselftoMuslimseachaccordingtohisneed,sothattheutmostbenefitisgainedfor thegoodofthemall,asindividualsandasgroups.
ThisisstatedintheverseoftheQuran
"Andamongthemaremenwhoslander theeinthematter of(thedistributionof)thealms.Iftheyaregivenpartthereforetheyarepleased,butifnot,beholdtheyareindignant.IfonlytheyhadbeencontentwithwhatGodandhisMessenger gavethemandhadsaid:SufficientuntousisGod!GodandHisMessengerwillsoongiveusofHisbounty;toGoddoweturnour hopes!Thatwouldhavebeentherightcourse."
Thisshowsthatthehypocriteswerecontentonlywhentheyreceivedalms,dissatisfiedwhendeprivedofthem,andthattheProphetdispensedfromtheZakatfundshimself.
ZakatwasoneofthemainsourcesofrevenueoftheIslamicstate.ThemoneywasspentinaccordancewiththeQuranontheeightcategoriesmentioned.
For thesereasons,itisbesttopayZakattothestate,representedintermsinwhatitsetsupasspecialinstitutionsfor Zakat.Thisisthebestandthemostusefulwaytodistributeit,sincethepresentincreaseinpopulationandtheir manysidedpreoccupationsdoesnotgivethemthechancetoknowthetruthaboutothersinorder todecidewhoispoor,needy,etc.Weoftencomeacrossapersonwhoisabletoearnhisliving,andwhodoesinfactearnhislivinguseroundaboutwaystogetcharityinonewayor another.Inthatwaycharityisnotgiventothosewhodeserveit.
Asfor thestate,sinceitlooksafter thegoodofall,Andcanwithallthefacilitiesinhanddiscriminatebetweenthosewhodeservecharityandthosewhodonot,theinvestmentmultipliestheamountinawaythatmakesthebenefitwiderandbigger.TheindustrializationofacountryandthegrowthofitseconomyareagainbeneficialtothecommunityinthesamesortofwayasZakat.Withthisthewayisopenedfor theunemployedtofindwork.Itisanobviousfactthatunemploymentisareasonfor poverty;thoughitisnotthemainreason.
Again,suchaprocedureisstrengtheningtothestateitselfandithelpstoraiseitsprestigeitisasifgoodencompassesindividualandcommunityalike.TheIslamicStatewasfoundedonthecollectionofZakatthroughitsemployeeswhowereappointedfor thatparticular workafter thedeathoftheProphet.Theorder ofAbuBakr towagewar againsttheapsotatesinhistimeunderlinesthefactthatthestatewasfoundedonthecollectionofZakat.ThisstateofthingscontinuedthroughoutthetimeofOmar.Hisspeechafter hissuccessionprovesthat,for itmentionedwealthinthefollowingway
"TakeitfrommethatIshallnotcollectfromyoumorethanwhatisdue;thisIshalldistributeinajustway."ThisisaconfirmationofthenecessityofcollectingZakatanddispensingit.ThiscontinuedtobesothroughoutthetimeofUthmanuntilhewasassassinatedthentheMuslimsquarelledamongstthemselves.SomeofthempaidZakattothepublictreasury.
HistoryrelatesthatOmar IbnAbdelAzizusedtosendhisemployeestocollectZakatanddistributeit.YahyaibnSa'dsaysofthat:
"Omar IbnAbdelAzizsentmetocollectZakatfromAfrica.Ididso,thenIaskedfor thepoor whoshouldreceiveit.IdidnotfindanybecauseOmar IbnAbdelAzizhadmadeeveryonerich.Iusedthemoneytofreesomefromslavery."
Perhapsthebestassurancethatthepublictreasuryis.theplacewhichhastherightofcollectingZakatistheQuran,whenitstatesthatthosewhoadminister ithaveashareinit.Thosewhoadminister itareobviouslythosewhocollectit,thosewhoareappointedbythestatefor thispurpose.
THEOBJECTSOFZAKAT
TheobjectofZakatisthegoodoftheIslamicstate,withallitsindividualmembersaswellasthewholecommunity,anditsgeneralwelfare.Asfor theindividuals,Zakathastakencareofthepoor andtheneedyandthewayfarers.Asfor thecommunity,apartfromthefactthatthewelfareoftheindividualreflectsonthewelfareofthecommunity,ithasanother advantagerelatingtothosewhoareindebt.
Asfor thegoodofthestate,thisisrealizedthroughtheinsuringofanobler lifefor allindividualsthroughthelayingasideofasumofmoneytobespentinthewayofGod.ItisanobviousfactthatthewelfareoftheIslamicstateisassuredthroughtheconservationofthereligionofGodandthroughthosewhoseheartsarereconciled,whoalsoreapthefruitsofcharity.
Povertyisdefinitelythebiggestproblemtoconfronttheindividualduringhislifetime.Moststateshavetocontendwiththisinvaryingways.Thepoor manwholivesinarichcommunity,theindividualmembersofwhichdonotrespondtohimbygivingtohimsothathecanlive,feelsdeprived.Fromthisfeelingof,deprivationisbornthehatredofthiscommunityanditsmembers.Mostofthecrimescommittedbycertainindividualsareduetopoverty.Whenthepoor personfeelsthatheisanoutcasthishatredfor therichman,whokeepshismoneybackfromhim,grows.Mostoftherevolutionsthathavehappenedaremainlyduetopoverty,duetothefactthatthepoor feelthattheyareleftbehindinthecavalcadeofsociety.Evenintheinternationalscene,wefindthatmostwarsareduetothefactthatsomestatesdesiretoensurethewelfareandprosperityoftheir peoplesbyexpansion,aswellasbyraisingtheeconomicstandardinorder tofindfor thepoor themeanstolive.Moststates,however,haveresortedtovariousexperimentsintheattempttoensurethattheir peoplesareimmunefrompoverty.
Allother systemscannotstandonthesamelevelwiththeIslamicsystem,whichhaslaiddowntruecooperativesocialismbymeansofZakat,whichthepersonwhoisabletodosopaysastipulatedportioninaccordancewithwhathehasthisistruesocialism.
Andhepayswillinglyandbychoicethisistruecooperation
Zakatisalsoonewayofpreventingthespreadingofprinciplesthathelpmakethepoor grudgetherichtheir wealthandmakethemhatesociety.Itisthemeansofestablishingloveandfriendshipamongstpeople,richandpoor alike,afeelingofcooperativesocialism.
TheQurantellsusthatpeoplewhocollectZakatareentitledalsototakeashareofit.Thisismeanttocreatehonestyandintegrityandtocombatbriberyandasanincentivefor hardwork.
PartofthefundsofZakatarealsosetasidefor thosewhoseheartsarereconciled.Thisaimedatbringingpeopletogether andatpreventinganyharmtotheMuslims.
ThosewhoreceivedZakatunder thisheadinginthelifeoftheProphetwerepreventedfromreceivingitatthetimeofAbuBakr whenOmar proclaimedthattheyhadnorighttodoso,sincethepillarsofIslamweresolidlyerectedandstrengthenedallthosewhoworkfor thespreadofIslamcanbeconsideredamongstthosewhoseheartsarereconciled.
NowadaysthereisgreatneedtohavesomeofthepeoplewhosestatusandopinionisofweightintheinternationalfieldonthesideofIslam,especiallyatthepresenttime,sinceweliveinanageofpropaganda.ThisalsoincludesallthewaysandmeansthatastatemakesuseoftopropagateIslamoutsideitsrecognizeddomains,suchasarticles,pamphlets,or communicationswrittenbynonMuslimsandMuslimsalike,toachievethisgoal.Islamalsocalledfor thefreeingofslaves.For thataimitdesignatedpartoftherevenueofZakattobespentinthatdirection,sothatafreeandliberalsocietybesetup.
Another goodpointinfavour ofIslamisthatitcallsfor helpfor thoseindebt,thosewhoareheavilyindebtandaresonotbecauseofanyvice.Thereisnothingworsethanbeingindebt,noonemoremiserablethanthepersonwhohaslosthiswealthbecauseofsomemisfortune.Suchpeoplearedeservingofkindnessandhelp.Acommunitythatworksfor thehelpoftheabovementionedisasoundandperfectcommunity.ItistheIslamicCommunity.
Another portionofZakatisspentinthewayofGod.BythisismeantthestrategicmilitaryaspectofthedefenceofIslam.
Thewayfarersarethosewhoarefar awayfromtheir homelandandcannotreceivefundsfromthere.Zakatincludesthemalso.
AveryimportantobjectofZakatisthemoralandpsychologicalsatisfactionthatthepersonwhopaysgetsthroughhisfinegesture.Hefeelsthatheiscontributingtothebuildingofhissocietyandtomakingitsmembershappyandcontented.Bysodoinghefeelsthatheisfreedfromanxietyandconfusion.Dreisser,thewellknownpsychologicalnovelist,says
"Ifamanwantstoextracttheutmostjoyfromlifeheshouldworkfor thejoyofothers."Hisjoydependsontheir joyandthejoyofothersisalsorelatedtohisownjoy.
Zakatalsofreesmenfromthedominationofmoney,thisdominationthatsometimesleadsamantosicknessandeventosuicide.Theamassingofmoneyandmiserlinessarethefirstsymptomsofthisdomination.Theonlyactivewaytocombatitisgenerosityandcharity.Onesignofthisdominationuponamanishisturninghisbackuponanhonourablewayoflife.Heneglectshisneedsandtheneedsofhisfamilyandevenofhisreligion.
AnexampleofthatiswhathappenedtoTha'labaibnHatib,whoaccostedtheApostle(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim)saying:
"Pleaseprayfor mesothatGodmaygivemewealth".TheApostlereplied
"Thelittlemoneyfor whichyougivethanksismuchbetter thanthatyoucannotmanage".
Tha'labacameagainaskingtheApostlefor prayersTheApostle(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),replied
"WouldyounotwishtobelikeGod'sProphet.IfIwisnedthemountainstobetransformedintomountainsofgoldtheywouldbecomeso."Tha'labareplied
"ByGodifyouprayfor metobegivenmoney,Iwouldgiveeverybodyhisdue.TheApostleprayedfor himandhebecamerichinsheep,whichgrewandmaturedandbecamesonumerousthatalMadinawascrowdedwiththem".
Whenhisfortunemultipliedheusedtoprayatnoonandintheafternoon,leavingtheother prayers.Whenitmultipliedevenmoreheneglectedthattoo.ThentheApostle,(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),said
"WoetoTha'laba"Andherepeateditthreetimes.ThentheversesoftheQuranwererevealed
"AmongstthemishewhomadeacovenantwithGod(saying),
"IfHebestoweduponusHisbountywewillgivealms,andbetrulyamongstthosewhoarerighteousbutwhenHedidbestowofHisbounty,theybecamecovetous,andturnedback(fromtheir covenantaversetoitsfulfillment).SoHehasset,asaconsequence,hypocrisyintheir hearts,untilthedaywhentheyshallmeetHim,becausetheybroketheir covenantwithGod,andbecausetheylied.DotheynotknowthatGodknowsboththeir secretandthethoughtthattheyconfideandthatGodknowswellallthingsunseen?"
WhenTha'labaheardofithewenttotheProphetwithZakat.TheProphet(PeaceandPrayersofGodbeuponhim),said
"Godhasforbiddenmetoacceptit."TheProphetdiedwithoutacceptingit.AbuBakr andOmar andUthmanfollowedsuit.Tha'labadiedduringthecaliphateofUthmanafter beingavictimofthedominationofmoney,whichpreventedhimfromprayers,andhedidnottrytopayZakatuntilheheardwhatwasrevealedintheQuranconcerninghim.HisZakatwasnotaccepted.HediedandonlyGodknowshispunishment.
Zakatisthebestsafeguardagainstthisdomination,whichincreaseswiththeincreaseofwealth.
Zakatisnotcharityinthesensethatthewordisusednowadays.Itis,arightofthepoor personwhofeelsthatitisasortoftaxofbrotherhood.Italsohastheadvantageofbeingpaidatacertainfixedtimeoftheyear.Onlyfruitandagriculturalproduceisexemptfromthat,for Zakatoffruitispaidassoonasitripens.Thisfixedtimeisanadvantage,sinceifcharityispaideverymonthoreveryweekitmightinjurethecapital,thusmakingtheowner ofthefundsdiscontentedwhenpayingit.
Inthesameway,payingcharityonceduringalifetimeisagaindisadvantageoustothosewhoreceiveit.
Zakatisimposedonverysmallfundswithapurposethatistoletthemajorityofanationtakepartintheimprovementofsociety,thushelpingtocreateloveandfriendshipamongstthem.Zakatisalsoamajor factor inthedistributionofwealth,andininauguratingnewindustries.
ManyforeignscholarshaverecognizedthevalueofZakat.Massignonsays
"Islamhaswithinitspinciplesthatwhichmakesitzealousinpropagatingtheconceptofequality,andthatistheobligationofZakat,whicheachindividualpaystotheTreasury".
Islamisagainstanyexchangewhichhasnorestriction,anditisalsoagainstkeepingwealthidle,andagainstusurersandindirecttaxation.Itsupportsindividualownershipandcommercalcapital.ItishalfwaybetweenthetheoriesofBourgeoisCapitalismandBolshovikCommunism.
TheseareonlysomeoftheobjectsofZakat,sinceallitsobjectscannotbedefined.
Thegoodthatemanatesfromitistooextensivetodelineatebecauseitcoversindividual,communityandstate.Whyshoulditnot,whenitisthesystemdefinedbyGodAlmightyandapprovedbyHiminthelastofreligions?Asfor reward,thatawaitsallthosewhorender it.
ThuswefindthatZakat,alongwithallIslamicrulesandobservances,aimsatthegoodofmankindinthisworldanditsdueandjustrecompenseintheother.