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Respected Brothers! Zakat is not only an important religious duty in Islam but also an excellent and effective means of solving economic and financial difficulties. The literal meaning of Zakat is to purify, correct, and grow, while in Islamic jurisprudence, Zakat means “a specific portion of wealth, which has been fixed by the pure Sharia, to be given for the pleasure of Allah Almighty to a Muslim who is legally considered poor, making them the owner of it.” “([1])
Zakat is obligatory, and its obligation is established through the Quran, Sunnah, and the consensus of the Ummah. Anyone who denies its obligatory nature is outside the fold of Islam. Those who acknowledge and believe in its obligation but still do not pay it are deserving of punishment. Those who delay its payment are sinners and must repent. The Islamic ruler can also forcibly collect Zakat from those who refuse to pay it. Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, which was made obligatory in the second year of the Hijra.
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Who is Obligated to Pay Zakat?
Zakat is obligatory on every sane, adult Muslim man and woman who meets the threshold of Nisab, meaning they possess more than the basic necessities of life. This includes owning at least 7.5 tolas of gold or 52.5 tolas of silver, or its equivalent in cash or trade goods. Once a lunar year has passed on this Nisab, 2.5% of the wealth, which is one-fortieth, becomes obligatory as Zakat.
The Commandment of Paying Zakat
Allah Almighty has commanded the Muslims to pay Zakat closely linked with prayer:
وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرّٰكِعِيْنَ([2])
“Establish prayer, give Zakat, and bow with those who bow (in worship and obedience).” Zakat serves as a significant means for peace and security, aid and cooperation for the needy and destitute, consolation for the distressed, protection of cities, nations, honors, and achieving the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger.
Zakat holds a very high and noble status in Islam. Allah Almighty and His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have mentioned Zakat alongside prayer on many occasions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
«اتَّقُوْا اللهَ رَبَّكُمْ، وَصَلُّوا خَمْسَكُمْ، وَصُومُوا شَهْرَكُمْ، وَأَدُّوا زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِكُمْ، وَأَطِيعُوْا ذَا أَمْرِكُمْ، تَدْخُلُوْا جَنَّةَ رَبِّكُمْ!»([3])
“Fear your Lord, maintain your five daily prayers, observe fasting during your month (Ramadan), pay the Zakat on your properties, and obey your leaders; you will enter the Paradise of your Lord.”
The Benefits of Paying
Dear members of the Islamic community! Along with performing other duties, those who give Zakat will not fear or grieve in the hereafter. It is stated by Allah:
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَاَقَامُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَوُا الزَّكٰوةَ لَهُمْ اَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ١ۚ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ([4])
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, establish prayer, and give Zakat will have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
It is also mentioned that
وَرَحْمَتِيْ وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ١ؕ فَسَاَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِيْنَ يَتَّقُوْنَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوةَ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُمْ بِاٰيٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ([5])
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Allah’s mercy
encompasses everything, and He will write it for those who fear Him and give Zakat, and those who believe in His signs.
Esteemed Readers! Giving charity and Zakat leads to an increase and blessing in wealth, protects it from loss and harm. Allah has said:
وَمَاۤ اٰتَيْتُمْ مِّنْ زَكٰوةٍ تُرِيْدُوْنَ وَجْهَ اللّٰهِ فَاُولٰٓىِٕكَ هُمُ الْمُضْعِفُوْنَ([6])
“What you give in Zakat, seeking Allah’s Countenance, has increase manifold.”
Zakat is not only an important religious duty but also an excellent and effective effort for solving the collective problems of the followers of Islam. It is an easy way to help the needy and achieve Allah’s pleasure. Allah has ordained:
وَمَاۤ اُمِرُوْۤا اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ١ۙ۬ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَذٰلِكَ دِيْنُ الْقَيِّمَةِ([7])
“They were only commanded to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakat. And that is the correct religion.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
«إِنَّ اللهَ لَمْ يَفْرِضِ الزَّكَاةَ، إِلّا لِيُطَيِّبَ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِكُمْ»([8])
“Allah has made Zakat obligatory only to purify your remaining wealth.”
He further stated,
«مَنْ أَدَّى زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ، فَقَدْ ذَهَبَ عَنْهُ شَرُّهُ»([9])
“Whoever pays the Zakat on his wealth, its evil will be removed.”
It is narrated by Umm al-Mu’minin, Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
«حَصِّنُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بِالزَّكَاةِ! وَدَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ!»([10])
“Protect your wealth by paying Zakat, and treat your sick by giving in charity.” This implies that giving in charity, Zakat, and alms does not decrease wealth but protects it, saves it from loss, and indeed increases and blesses it, while also removing difficulties, sickness, and distress.
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The Consequences of Not Paying Zakat
Those who do not pay Zakat on their wealth, Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has warned:
وَالَّذِيْنَ يَكْنِزُوْنَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنْفِقُوْنَهَا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ١ۙ فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِيْمٍۙ۰۰۳۴ يَّوْمَ يُحْمٰى عَلَيْهَا فِيْ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوٰى بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوْبُهُمْ وَظُهُوْرُهُمْ١ؕ هٰذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ فَذُوْقُوْا مَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْنِزُوْنَ([11])
“And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. On the day when it (the wealth) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs – (It will be said to them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.'”
Punishment of not Paying Zakat
The wealth of those who do not pay Zakat will take the form of a terrible snake and bite them in the Hereafter. Narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
«مَنْ آتَاهُ اللهُ مَالاً فَلَمْ يُؤَدِّ زَكَاتَهُ، مُثِّلَ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شُجَاعاً أَقْرَعَ لَهُ زَبِيبَتَانِ، يُطَوِّقُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، ثُمَّ يَأْخُذُ بِلِهْزِمَتَيْهِ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَنَا مَالُكَ! أَنَا كَنْزُكَ!»
“Whoever is given wealth by Allah and does not pay the Zakat, on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be made like a bald-headed venomous snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.'”
Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited the verse from Surah Al-Imran Ayat 180:
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَبْخَلُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰىهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهٖ هُوَ خَيْرًالَّهُمْ١ؕ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ١ؕ سَيُطَوَّقُوْنَ مَا بَخِلُوْا بِهٖ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ([12])
“And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah has given them of His grace think that it is good for them. Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection.”
Not paying Zakat, besides other evils, also deprives people of the blessing of rain. The beloved of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said:
«وَلَمْ يَمْنَعُوا زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، إِلَّا مُنِعُوا الْقَطْرَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ»([13])
“If they refuse to give Zakat of their wealth, rain will be withheld from the sky.”
People Who Don’t pay Zakat
Those who do not pay Zakat on their wealth are harming themselves and will face severe regret on the Day of Judgment, being caught in divine punishment. Narrated by Umar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
«ما تلفَ مالٌ في برٍّ ولا بحرٍ، إلّا بحبسِ الزّكاةِ»([14])
“Never does wealth get destroyed in the land or the sea but due to withholding of Zakat.”
Paying Zakat is also a means to enter Paradise The noble ones! A man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me an act which will take me closer to Paradise and further away from Hell.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
([15])«تَعْبُدُ اللهَ لَا تُشْرِكُ بِه شَيْئاً، وَتُقِيْمُ الصَّلَاةَ، وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصِلُ ذَا رَحِمِكَ»
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, establish prayer, pay the Zakat, and maintain ties of kinship.” It is clear that paying Zakat is also a means of entering Paradise, and delaying or avoiding it altogether invites divine punishment.
Who is entitled to receive Zakat?
Allah has specified the recipients of Zakat as follows:
﴿اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَالْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَالْعٰمِلِيْنَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغٰرِمِيْنَ وَفِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيْلِ١ؕ فَرِيْضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ١ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ﴾([16])
“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.”
The scholars say that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) distributed charity, the hypocrites raised objections. Allah clarified the rightful recipients of Zakat to silence the objectors. This detailed clarification also serves to prevent any ruler from misusing Zakat funds and underscores the importance of Zakat in Islam.
The recipients of Zakat are seven categories: the poor, the needy, those employed to collect Zakat, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing captives, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the wayfarer.
Several rulings and issues regarding Zakat
- It is permissible for the one giving Zakat to distribute it among all these categories or to a specific category among them.
- Zakat must be spent on these specified recipients only and cannot be used for other purposes like building mosques, covering funeral expenses, or repaying debts of the deceased since the recipient must be made the owner of the Zakat.
- Zakat cannot be given to the wealthy, the family of Banu Hashim, nor to one’s own spouse, children, or parents.
Objectives of Zakat
To achieve the objectives of Zakat’s obligation, one must adhere to these rulings. Without a legitimate Shar’i necessity, using Zakat funds for the construction of mosques, schools, or for the salaries of their associates, or other welfare, organizational, or personal projects is not permissible. The grand aim of Islam is to eradicate or minimize poverty and neediness in society through the specified channels of Zakat, achievable only by adhering to the principles and regulations set forth by the Sharia. For further information and issues regarding Zakat, staying in contact with knowledgeable scholars is a source of great benefit in both religious and worldly matters.
([1]) “الدرّ المختار” كتاب الزكاة، 5/414-419.
([3]) “سنن الترمذي” أبواب الجمعة، باب منه، ر: ٦١٦، صـ١٥٨.
([8]) “سُنَن أبي داود” كتابُ الزكاة، بابُ في حقوق المال، ر: 1664، صـ٢٤٧.
([9]) “المعجم الأوسط” باب الألف، من اسمه أحمد، ر: ١٥٧٩، ١/٤٣1.
([10]) “المعجم الأوسط” باب الألف، من اسمه أحمد، ر: ١٩٦٣، ١/٥٣٢.
([12]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الزكاة، باب إثم مانع الزكاة، ر: ١٤٠٣، صـ٢٢٦.
([13]) “سنن ابن ماجه” كتاب الفتن، باب العقوبات، ر: 4019، صـ٦٨٢، ٦٨٣.
([14]) “مجمع الزوائد” كتاب الزكاة، باب فرض الزكاة، ر: ٤٣٣٥، ٣/١٥٠.