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Zakat

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The literal meaning of the word "zakat" is to purify, to develop and cause to grow. According to Islamic Sharia, zakat is the amount of money that every adult, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support the poor and the needy. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and Allah has promised a great reward for those who pay their charity.

"The men who give in charity and the women who give in charity and set apart for Allah a goodly portion, it will be doubled for them, and theirs is a generous reward." (The Quran 57:19)

Zakat becomes obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded and remains in control of the owner over a period of one year. The prescribed rate of zakat is 2.5% of accumulated wealth when it is in form of cash, gold or silver.

According to Prophet Muhammad's advice to Muadh bin Jabel: "Inform them (the believers) that Allah has enjoined on them, the Zakat. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them." (Bukhari)

Understanding Zakat: Importance of giving charity in Islam

by Gulrukh Tausif

♦ What is Zakat? Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and became obligatory on the Muslims in the second year of the hijri calendar. The literal meaning of the word "zakat" is to purify, to...More>
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Giving zakat in Ramadan: People who deserve the charity

by Dhikra A. Dean

First of all, it's important to clarify that there are two kinds of Zakah, or charity, and both of them are paid once per year. However, the Zakah Muslims pay on possessions is not to be paid in a spe...More>
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How to resolve social problems due to poverty.

by Abde Saidi

Prescribed right of needy: Islam has as aim to establish a pure and perfect society, wherein the rich people support the needy. For this purpose, It imposed a comprehensive legislation, that points to...More>
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Economics: The importance of paying zakah

by Anne Davey

Like many other religions, Islam demands of its adherents that a portion of their wealth is given to those in need. This kind of philanthropy is pretty much universally acknowledged to be a good thing...More>
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Introduction to the Five Pillars of Islam

by Shaheen Darr

The five pillars of Islam are basically the tenets which Muslims all over the world follow in order to fortify the foundation on which their faith rests. They are followed throughout a Muslim's lifeti...More>
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Distribution of Zakat

by Dr Raph Azrin

Fulfill your Solat, and pay your Zakat, Fasting in the Month of Ramadan read the Quran are the core aspects of the pillars of Islam along with Fulfilling the Pilgrimage or the Hajj is mandatory to all...More>
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Benefits of Zakat

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The payment of zakat purifies the heart of the Muslim from love of wealth, greed and miserliness.
Zakat expiates the sins of a Muslim and appeases the wrath of Allah.
It leads to distribution of wealth in the society and prevents its accumulation in a few hands.
Zakat prevents hoarding of wealth in bank vaults and private safes by ensuring that money stays in circulation.
With proper distribution of zakat, the rich do not keep getting richer and the poor do not get poorer. Hence zakat ensures prosperity for all sections of society
Zakat fosters goodwill, brotherhood and equality in society as needs of the poor are satisfied. This in turn helps prevent crimes, jealousy and hatred for elite.
Spiritually for a Muslim, zakat is a form of worship he does for Allah's sake and there is no greater happiness for a true believer than to obey commands enjoined by Allah.

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Zakat : Quick Facts

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Zakat became obligatory on the Muslims in the second year of hijri calendar.
While salat (prayers) fulfills a Muslim's obligation towards Allah, zakat fulfills his duty towards his fellow human beings.
Zakat is compulsory on excess wealth which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab (minimum amount), and which is possessed for one full year.
Zakat is not applicable on things under personal use like house, cars or clothes. It becomes applicable if houses, shops and cars are given on rent for generation of income.
Zakat can only be spent on the eight eligible beneficiaries (asnaf) that are mentioned in the Quran in Surah Taubah, verse 60.
Zakat is compulsory and not optional. Not paying zakat is a great sin that will be severely punished on the Day of Judgment.

Official Links

IslamiCity.com - Zakat
The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning ...
What is zakat?
Zakat means grow (in goodness) or 'increase', 'purifying' or ' making pure'. So the act of giving zakat means purifying one's wealth to gain ...
Zakat Foundation of America
US based international charity foundation working to provide aid for emergency relief, education, orphans, healthcare, sustainable development, microcredit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zakat
Zakat -ul-Fitr is for fasting Muslims to give food or money on behalf of fasting people. The food or money is equal to one day's meals for ...