Zakat - The Pillar of Islam

  •   Thu, Aug 02 2012
  •   By Faheem Jawaid

August 3, 2012 

Come Ramadan and every Muslim around the world would start contemplating and talking about Zakat. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are the testimony to faith, prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
 
The word Zakat has been mentioned many a time in the holy Quran, and each time with an injunction to execute and hence signifies the very importance of this commitment towards all Muslims. Allah the Almighty says, “My mercy encompasses all things, for those who fear me and give Zakat.” (7:156).
 
Zakat (means “alms”, and “that which purifies”), is obligatory by all Muslims who have the financial means, above a certain specified minimum, for a full cycle of lunar year (Nisab); must give two and a half percent of their cash balances, and of gold, silver etc., that they possess, to the poor and the needy people. This is the minimum. The more it is given the greater the reward that Allah the Almighty will grant to the giver.

Zakat is considered to be nothing but a section dedicated to the poor and needy people from the funds of riches. Muslims believe that, Zakat not only purifies the wealth and property of the givers but also purifies their hearts from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the hearts of the recipients from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the givers.

Zakat is on cash balances, gold, silver, merchandise, agriculture, cattle and other valuables. The Quran does not provide with unambiguous parameters and on which kind of wealth and how much Zakat to be given. However, the rate of Zakat on various cash balances, assets and commodities can be found in detail, in the books of Fiqah (the Islamic law).
 
Allah the Almighty promised rewards on good deeds carried out particularly in the holy month of Ramadan; from 70 to 700 percent more than the usual. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said, “This (Ramadan) is the month of compassion”.
 
Due to the above reasons, Muslims prefer giving Zakat in the holy month of Ramadan; otherwise, Zakat has got to be given after a lunar year’s full cycle is elapsed.
 
There are two ways of giving Zakat; one, by showing others so that others can also follow the suit; and two, by hiding from others, for Allah knows the hearts.
 
Allah says, “Do not invalidate your charities with reminders of it or injury as does one who spends his wealth only to be seen by the people” (Quran 2:264).
 
There are certain prioritizations considered while giving Zakat. The closer the relative, the neighbour, the friends and the others in that group of poor and needy people the more right they deserve in receiving Zakat.
 
Zakat is believed to be a category of social justice for those whom society deteriorates, and compassion for the vulnerable. The concept is to build the community out of human obligation toward each other, making each person accountable for the wellbeing of every other person.

 

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By Faheem Jawaid
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Comment on this article

  • Dr. Nayeem Saadiq, Mysore/Jeddah

    Thu, Aug 30 2012

    Dear FJ, I saw your article a bit late. It is short, to the point and conveys the message well. Keep it up Daijiworld!

  • N.M., Vijayawada

    Wed, Aug 15 2012

    Outstanding! Logical! Heart-touching!
    Thanks Daijiworld! Thanks Faheem Jawaid!

  • Shaheena, Sydney(Australia )

    Mon, Aug 06 2012

    Very impressive and informative article at the right time.
    Presented in a simple but touching way,it's like a reminder to all muslims to understand the meaning and values of Zakat and to purify themselves in this holy
    month of Ramadan to gain the rewards and blessings of Allah (SWT).
    May Allah reward you and shower his blessings upon you and your family.Ameen

  • Ranjeeta D'Soysa, Mysore/London

    Sun, Aug 05 2012

    Article is enlightening and the concept is remarkable. I believe, all religions, in one way or other preach the same concept. May God give us all, the strength to follow our religious scriptures conscientiously.

  • hafsa khanam, warangal

    Sun, Aug 05 2012

    good work done by mr.faheem jawaid by presenting an article on zakat which is of high importance in this holy month.i hope many people have gathered information regarding zakat by going through it..

  • saba khanam, warangal

    Sun, Aug 05 2012

    very informative article on zakat..by reading such articles people will get to know islam much more clearly and mr.faheem jawaid has presented it in a very understandable manner.

  • Ashfaq Saif, Bangalore

    Sun, Aug 05 2012

    Hats off to Faheem Jawaid and Daijiworld for the most informative and timely article. The philosophy of Zakat has been illustrated in the article with working examples and living proofs. Good work indeed!

  • Mohammed, Hyderabad

    Sun, Aug 05 2012

    a very informative,precise and to the point article.
    only if we muslims can centralize the collection of zakat like a Bait ul Maal then we can reap more benefits out of it.thousands of madarsaas running in india are functioning without any govt aid.it would not have been possible without zakat.
    With the system of zakat, money doesnt remain stagnant....it doesnt remain at one place but it is moving constantly.
    May Allah remove the love of wealth from the hearts of muslims...Ameen

  • M. A. Kareem, Hanamkonda

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    I like to appreciate and congratulate Daijiworld for publishing this article. The article is awe-inspiring and breath-taking. In fact, no sane person will be able to deny the noble concept of Zakat. But, I have certain questions to ask do we really give Zakat to the most deserving poor and needy people? Do we investigate, as it should be, before we decide to give Zakat? Despite giving Zakat in millions to the poor and needy people, every year, why Muslims remain the poorest community in India? According to me, we do not care to probe and scrutinize properly we go only by face value and give Zakat. There are hundreds and thousands of so-called “poor and needy people” who are experts in collecting Zakat, while exploiting the religiously-emotional-feelings of Muslims, by providing false claims. It is mandatory that, we must thoroughly check out and look into the authentic and genuine provisions of the person, family or the institution, to whom we intend to give Zakat.

  • M. A. Kareem, Hanamkonda

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    I like to appreciate and congratulate Daijiworld for publishing this article. The article is awe-inspiring and breath-taking. In fact, no sane person will be able to deny the noble concept of Zakat. But, I have certain questions to ask do we really give Zakat to the most deserving poor and needy people? Do we investigate, as it should be, before we decide to give Zakat? Despite giving Zakat in millions to the poor and needy people, every year, why Muslims remain the poorest community in India? According to me, we do not care to probe and scrutinize properly we go only by face value and give Zakat. There are hundreds and thousands of so-called “poor and needy people” who are experts in collecting Zakat, while exploiting the religiously-emotional-feelings of Muslims, by providing false claims. It is mandatory that, we must thoroughly check out and look into the authentic and genuine provisions of the person, family or the institution, to whom we intend to give Zakat.

  • munavar hussain, secundrabad

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    well-written and timely-written article! you have covered the topic from different angles with nicety. keep it up faheem jawaid!

  • Louis, Kuwait

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    Zakat is very important for a Muslim. Many in Gulf countries follow it, specially during Ramadan season. Even Christians they need to give 10 % of their earnings to Church or to poor people. Protestants follow it very rear in other Christians. Many of us don't give even 1% to church. But do help poor people.

  • FAZIL, DXB

    Sat, Aug 04 2012


    May almighty grant peace in this world and give wisdom to all and guide Hidaya one who really hate Islam, Holy month of Ramadan bring peace and love heart of every human beings as purify the heart as well wealth by giving Zakath,
    Thanks to Daiji giving the Opportunity and Thanks to brother Faheem Jawaid.

  • parveen sultan, mangalore/dubai

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    very nice artical. well said Mr.Faheem.

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    Very informative and great article.
    Irrespective of our religious affiliation, if we practice this divine formula of life, we will be greatly blessed. Even the world-wide economic recession can be changed if we shart sharing with the poor and needy across our homes, so that ALMIGHTY GOD will show favour and mercy to us.

    HAPPY RAMADAN TO ALL.

  • George Cruz, Mangalore/USA

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    This is a very nice article.

  • Abdul Ahad , New Delhi - New York

    Sat, Aug 04 2012

    Thank you Faheem Jawaid for illustrating the real hypothesis of Zakat. Every point you have mentioned is poignant and touching. May Allah bless you!

  • Rihan, DXB

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    Masha Allah..Good article and very well portrayed.

  • Kavita Reddy, Kurnool

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    The concept of Zakat presented by Mr. Jawaid is so caring and humane. very well-written article indeed! Happy Ramzan to all Muslim brothers and sisters.

  • F.Ahamed, Dubai,Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    Good article very informative

  • Shashi Shetty, Santhoor/ Manipal

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    Very nice article from Mr. Faheem.. wish youu and all my Muslim brothers and sisters happy Ramzan. In reply to Mr. Fraz's message.. I don't think there is any misconception about any religion in this world. Every kind of religion had followers within and admirers outside. The misconception , distrust and hatered is started by the very followers of the religion by trying to impose their preaching on others. If we follow our religion within fourwalls of our home or place of worship there cannot be any problem. The pure commercialization of religion have ruined the very cause of religion.
    The very basis of religion started in the civilization was - promoting Equality, helping the poor, innocent, weak. protecting the weak may it be human, animals or every a small instect. to avoid mindless exploitation of resource in this world. The commercialization of religion of forgotten the very basics and are bent upon building numbers in their own so that, they can destroy the others, big numbers means more donations for their institutions, more numbers means the preachers can be at top. so which kind of religion we have to follow is left to a sane individual.

  • Fraz , Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    Good information.. We must expose Quranic message to the world so that all misconceptions about Islam can be removed..

    Good Work.. May Allah shower his blessings on you

  • MOHAMMED MUZAFFER AHMED, DAMMAM. KSA

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    DEAR FAHIM,

    Really, out of the 5 pillar of islam,testimony to faith, prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, is purly related to the physical involement of the MUSLIM, but, pilgrimage to Mecca, ZAKATH related to the monetary factor. and its need to reminder.

    BEING A INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL, Every investment is having doubt and risk, but, your article really,force to think to avail the maximum profit of the akhirah upto the rate of 700% to invest in the zakath.

    keep it up and write and encourage to the human being to get the good yeild, without any risk.

    MUZAFFER

  • R.Bhandarkar, M

    Fri, Aug 03 2012

    Very informative and heart touching. The same principle holds good for 'fasting' during this holy month , to get a know about the feelings of the deprived. Re-iterates the fact that every community believes and has the same ideals. Happy Ramadan to all...


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