Important Facts About Zakat

The system of Islam stands on 5 pillars- Shahadah, Salaat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. Each component is an integral part of Islam; hence, perfecting our performance of it is necessary. To do so, one must possess the purity of intention, taqwa, sincerity and knowledge about the correct way of doing it.

The most accurate way of worship has been demonstrated to us by Prophetﷺ, who followed and implemented the teachings of the Quran. However, changes in times, have introduced some new situations which have become quite common.

One such ‘common’ practice is that Muslims nowadays, give zakat during the month of Ramadan. This definitely raises concerns about the welfare of the zakat recipients. My goal in this paper is to examine the reasons behind this

In the first section, I highlight the facts about zakat. In the second section, some possible answers to the question “Why do people pay zakat in Ramadan?” are examined. In the third section, I list the recipients as identified in the Quran. In the fourth section I propose a beneficial zakat practice; following it with a conclusion.

Important Facts about Zakat. The obligation and importance of Zakat can be noted from the following

5) It is a myth in some societies that Zakat has to be paid in Ramadan only.

The Recipients of Zakat. The recipients have been clearly outlined 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. These categories are:

1) Fuqara: “he is the poor person who possesses half of his minimum needs or less. He is more needy than the miskin” (Zeno 168)

2) Miskin: “he is better off than the faaqir, the one who possesses 70% or 80% of his needs” (Zeno 168)

3) The Zakat collectors employed by the state

4) Those whose hearts are leaning towards Islam

5) To free the slaves

6) To debtors (to free them of their debts)

7) Those working in the way of Allah

8) The wayfarer – “this is a person travelling from one land to another […] doesn’t have the means to complete his journey” (Zeno