Conditions and recipients of Zakat
Allah Almighty has commanded zakat as a mandatory financial obligation that provides support to the poor and needy who lack the basic resources of life. He has made it obligatory on wealthy Muslims for lofty goals that improve the conditions of individuals in society and strengthen bonds of love and harmony between the rich and the poor, creating a society full of equality, solidarity, and compassion.
Therefore, we present our article today to explore together the ruling of zakat, the conditions for its obligation, and the method to calculate zakat easily and accurately.
Table of Contents
What is Zakat?
Legally, zakat is what wealthy Muslims give from their money to those eligible in order to help them and improve their conditions. Zakat is one of the most important pillars of Islam, usually amounting to 2.5% of the total wealth that must have reached the nisab and a full lunar year must have passed.
Definition of Zakat in Language
Linguistically, zakat means increase, growth, and purification, referring to the increase of sustenance, growth of wealth, and purification of money and the soul from miserliness or stinginess. Allah says: {Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase}.
Al-Mardawi said: "Zakat in language means growth. It is said: growth and purification, because it grows the wealth and purifies its giver."
Ibn Faris said: "Zaka: the root letters indicate growth and increase."
The Ruling of Zakat
Zakat is an obligatory duty on every capable Muslim; it is the third pillar of Islam and is obligatory on every Muslim who owns wealth exceeding their needs and meets the nisab conditions.
Allah says: {Establish prayer and give zakat and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah is Seeing of what you do}.
Ruling on those who refuse to pay Zakat
Refusing to give zakat is considered disbelief and denial, and those who refrain from it will be held accountable by Allah in this world and the hereafter.
Whoever refuses to pay zakat out of stinginess is threatened with severe punishment from Allah; this is one of the major sins, and the wealth will act as a noose around the neck of the refuser on the Day of Judgment.
Al-Bukhari narrated from Abu Huraira that he said: (When the Prophet ﷺ passed away and Abu Bakr became the Caliph, some Arabs committed disbelief. Umar said: O Abu Bakr, how do you fight people when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: I was commanded to fight people until they say there is no god but Allah, so whoever says it is safe from me in his wealth and life except by his right, and his reckoning is with Allah.)
Wisdom Behind the Legislation of Zakat
The wisdom behind the legislation of zakat can be summarized as follows:
- It contributes to achieving justice and equality among all members of society.
- It ensures economic stability in society and contributes to fair distribution of wealth, reducing the suffering of poor groups.
- It provides an important opportunity to improve the conditions of the poor and needy.
- It purifies the wealth of the giver and increases its blessings.
- It unites hearts and keeps Muslims away from hatred and envy among themselves.
- It indicates the validity of the faith of the person giving zakat and their acceptance of Allah’s commands.
- It increases the sense of responsibility towards others, motivating Muslims to help.
- It reminds that Allah is the source of wealth, and people should give zakat to those entitled to it according to His commands.
- It erases sins and mistakes as a way for the believer to earn Allah’s satisfaction and forgiveness.
Conditions for Zakat Obligation
Considering the importance of giving zakat correctly to gain reward and blessings, the conditions for its obligation for the giver and the wealth are as follows:
Conditions for the Obligation of Zakat on the Giver
- Islam: Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim, not on non-Muslims.
- Freedom: Zakat is obligatory on a free person, not on a slave, because a slave does not fully own wealth.
- Sanity: The giver must be sane and mature, as it is not obligatory on a mentally incapacitated person.
- Puberty: Zakat is only obligatory on adults over 18 years old, not on children.
Conditions for Zakat Obligation on Wealth
- Full ownership of the wealth: The wealth must be fully owned by the giver with no partnerships.
- Nisab: The wealth must reach the prescribed nisab, whether for crops, gold, silver, or livestock.
- Completion of one lunar year: A full year must pass on the wealth to be eligible for zakat, except for crops and fruits which are eligible at harvest.
- Excess over basic needs: The wealth must exceed the essential needs of the giver, such as food, housing, furniture, etc.
- Free of debts: The wealth should be free from any debts.
- Ability to grow: The wealth must be capable of growth and increase, such as trade or livestock.
Types of Wealth Subject to Zakat
Islam specifies the types of wealth subject to zakat according to Shariah:
- Monetary assets: This includes paper and metal currencies, precious metals such as gold and silver, stocks, and bank funds.
- Crops and fruits: All types of agricultural produce that can be stored, including grains and dates. Zakat depends on the type of irrigation.
- Livestock: Referring to sheep, cows, and camels, whether for work or trade, not for plowing.
- Trade goods: All items bought and sold for profit regardless of type.
It is noteworthy that these types of wealth must reach the nisab and one full year must pass, free from debts.
Recipients of Zakat
The recipients of zakat are mentioned in the Quran in Surah At-Tawbah. Allah says: "Alms are for the poor and the needy, for those employed to collect [the funds], for bringing hearts together, for freeing captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler - an obligation from Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise."
- Poor and needy: Those who do not have enough food, drink, or clothing.
- Those employed to collect zakat: Those who gather zakat to distribute to the needy and receive wages for their work.
- Those whose hearts are to be reconciled: Those who receive zakat to strengthen their faith or prevent harm.
- For freeing captives: Slaves and Muslim captives.
- Debtors: Those who have debts they cannot pay.
- In the cause of Allah: Those striving in the way of Allah or seeking knowledge.
- Stranded traveler: Travelers who do not have enough to return home.
Calculating Zakat
The calculation of zakat is as follows:
- Determine the total wealth and ensure it meets the conditions of reaching nisab and the passing of one full year.
- Pay 2.5% of the total wealth, i.e., divide the total amount by 40.
It is worth noting that calculating zakat for businesses and companies requires preparing financial statements including inventory, expenses, and liabilities to ensure an accurate calculation.
Donate Your Zakat to Jerusalem
You can now donate zakat to the needy in Jerusalem to support them in securing their basic needs through Al-Wafaa Association, which dedicates its efforts to delivering aid to deserving groups with a professional and experienced team, ensuring timely and trustworthy assistance.
Therefore, do not hesitate to rely on them via online donations through the website link or by visiting the effective headquarters of Al-Wafaa Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zakat obligatory?
Yes, zakat is obligatory on every free, adult, and sane Muslim. It is a command of Allah to support the poor who do not have enough for their daily needs.
On whom is Zakat obligatory?
Zakat is obligatory on every free, working Muslim who owns wealth exceeding their needs, has passed a lunar year, and reached the prescribed nisab.
What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah?
Zakat: An obligatory duty imposed annually on Muslims. Sadaqah: A voluntary act of charity that does not require reaching nisab or a lunar year and can be given at any time.
When should Zakat be given?
Zakat should be given when wealth reaches the nisab and a full lunar year has passed, while observing other conditions.
Can Zakat be given before its due time?
Yes, zakat can be given before its due time if it serves a legitimate purpose or an urgent need of the poor.
Can Zakat be prevented?
No, zakat cannot be prevented as it is obligatory on Muslims and the third pillar of Islam. Preventing it leads to severe punishment from Allah in this world and the hereafter.
