Meant to spread wealthZakat serves many purposes [Archives:2004/787/Culture]
By Dr. Manea Al-hazmi
For The Yemen Times
Zakat, or obligatory charity, is the third Pillar of Islam. Allah says “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it (surah At-Taubah, 103).
Zakat was addressed with prayer in 82 verses in Qur'an because of its importance. It is a financial act of worship dedicated to Allah in order to gain his pleasure.
Proportion of Zakat
Zakat is a certain fixed proportion of the wealth and of every kind of the property liable to Zakat. It is due on one's wealth held for one year.
The percentage due on gold, silver and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold is 2.5%. The other properties such as animals, fruits, lands for investment, and metals have different amounts of Zakat that you can find in the books of jurisprudence.
Spending of Zakat
Zakat is spent on the poor, employed to collect Zakat, to attract the hearts of new Muslims and those being close to Islam, to free the captives, for those in debt, for Allah's cause, for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything.)
Allah says “As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds),and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah's Cause (i.e for Mujahidun- those fighting in a holy battle), from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise” (surah At-Taubah, 60).
Punishment for refusing paying Zakat
Allah has a severe punishment against those who refuse to pay Zakat. Allah says “And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakat of which has not been paid] and spend them not in the Way of Allah, announce unto them a painful of torment.
On the Day when that, gold and silver, will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs and it will be said to them: This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard” (surah At-Taubah, 34-35).The ruler has the right to take Zakat by force from those who refuse to pay it.
Benefits of Zakat
The orginal meaning of Zakat is both urification and growth. Zakat purifies the donors from selfishness, miserliness and stinginess. Zakat augments the wealth and makes it abundant.
The Prophet, peace be upon him said ” Never will charity diminish the wealth, rather it augments it”.
Zakat is a manifestation of social mutual responsibility among the Muslims. So the wealthy among them may sympathize with the poor
And the poor among them may love the wealthy. Also Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security.
——
[archive-e:787-v:13-y:2004-d:2004-11-04-p:culture]
