8 Types of People who can accept Zakat

Zakat is an Arabic word means “purification”. Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and compulsory on every financially stable Muslim that is wealthy enough to afford to it. In religion, Islam charity holds so much importance that it is an obligation on Muslims in the form of Zakat. All eligible individuals are required to pay an annual percentage of 2.5% of the wealth and property they own as Zakat. Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: “Take from their wealth so that you might purify and sanctify them” (Quran 9:103).

The basic purpose of Zakat is to do Charity and help the poor grow and establish balance in the society. It helps poor to get basic needs which they could not fulfill due to financial problems. According to religion Islam, Zakat purifies your wealth and Allah gives you the rewards in the hereafter. When it comes to paying Zakat, there are different misconceptions that are prevalent among Muslims. Zakat cannot be given to just anybody, Islam has defined the terms and conditions of giving Zakat.

There are specific people to whom Zakat can be given. Allah Almighty mentioned them in the Holy Quran: “The alms are only for the Fuqara (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” (Quran, 9:60)

From the above verse of Holy Quran, we have mentioned below the people who can accept Zakat and to whom Muslims are required to pay Zakat:

1. Al-Fuqara (The Poor): These are the people who don’t have means to live their life properly and live below the line of poverty. They deserve your Zakat in order to meet the daily necessities of their lives.
2. Al-Masakin (The Needy): These people are also poor; however, because of their pride and bashfulness they don’t expose their poverty. Your Zakat can help them in improving their living condition.
3. The Zakat Collectors: These people are given the authority by the ruler to collect the Zakat money, preserve it, and distribute it among the needy and poor. It includes trustworthy institutions and NGOs who are working to help underprivileged Muslim communities.
4. The Newly Converted Muslims: Those who are newly converted to Islam are eligible to accept Zakat as with their conversion to Islam they need assistance and help for a new start in life.
5. Freeing Captives or Slaves: The money of Zakat can also be spent on freeing the slaves or captives and improve their living standard.
6. The Debtors: Zakat can be given to pay off debts of someone who cannot repay on his own. But one must make sure that the money they borrowed utilized for the Halal purpose.
7. In the Path of Allah: Zakat can be given to those who are striving in the path of Allah. These are the people who are fighting for Allah’s cause far away from their homes. Your Zakat can help them have a better living.
8. The Travelers: Zakat can be given to the people who are left alone in some foreign country and have no money in pocket to eat or survive. You can also give Zakat to the refugees as they leave their countries because of violence and oppression in search of a safe and better place.

The main objective of paying Zakat is to help the society by giving something from your wealth. In return, the Muslims get tremendous rewards not only in this world but also in the hereafter. Islam guides us to make this world a better place by helping others in need and that’s why it puts emphasis on charity. May Almighty Allah guide us to help the needy and poor people for the sake His pleasure. Ameen!

source: quranreading.com/blog

Importance of Zakat | The Compulsory Charity in Islam

Zakat is an Arabic word which means “purification”. Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran: “Take from their wealth so that you might purify and sanctify them” (Quran 9:103). Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and compulsory on every financially stable Muslim that is wealthy enough to afford to it. Zakat is basically the compulsory giving of a pre-set proportion of one’s wealth to charity. All eligible individuals are required to pay an annual percentage of 2.5% of the wealth and property they own as Zakat. Its significance could be realized from the fact that Allah made it a pillar and by making it a pillar, Allah makes almost everyone experience it either as a giver or as a receiver.

Zakat has so much significance that Allah (SWT) combined it with salah on many occasions in the Holy Quran. Zakat is considered as compulsory charity and an obligation for those who have received their wealth from Almighty Allah to respond to those who are less fortunate in society. The basic purpose of making Zakat a compulsory charity is to purify a Muslim’s heart from all forms of greed and selfishness. The compulsory charity Zakat must be paid on different categories of property in which we have gold, silver, money, livestock, agricultural productions, and other business commodities. Zakat is payable each year after one year’s retention.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity” (Tirmidhi). From this hadith, we can conclude that Allah Almighty will shade and shelter those who give charity and care for the needy people. The Muslim’s sacrifice in this life will be their protection on the Day of Judgment which will benefit them forever. Just like prayer (salah), which is both an individual and communal responsibility, zakat also expresses a Muslim’s worship of and thanksgiving to Almighty Allah by supporting those who are in need.

Zakat reminds us that everything we have belongs to Allah (SWT). People are given their wealth as a trust from Allah Almighty, and zakat is intended to free Muslims from the love of money. Islam teaches that people should acquire wealth with the intention of spending it on their own needs and the needs of others. Allah Almighty mentioned in the Quran: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect (zakat) and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the (stranded) traveler – an obligation (imposed) by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Quran, 9:60)

Other than zakat which obviously is the compulsory charity, the Quran and Hadith also stress on giving Sadaqah, or voluntary charity, which is proposed for the needy people of the society. In the Quran Allah almighty emphasizes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping those who are in need. The more one helps, the more Allah Almighty helps the person, and the more one gives, the more Allah (SWT) gives the person in return. One feels he is taking care of others and Allah is taking care of him/her.

In short, zakat develops the sense of purification from greed, develops a circulation of money for the economy. It also encourages people to develop a better society that lives in peace and harmony. May Almighty Allah give us the strength to fulfill this obligation and following the right path so that we will be considered in true followers of Islam! Ameen.

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source: quranreading.com