Email
سورة البقرة الاية ١٧٧

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177): "Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah.

What is Zakat ?

Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are fundamental acts of worship and the foundation of a Muslim's faith and practice. It is a form of almsgiving and social welfare and is considered a religious obligation for all eligible Muslims. Here’s a detailed look at zakat and its impact, along with relevant Quranic verses and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

Definition

Zakat means "purification" and "growth." It involves giving a fixed portion (usually 2.5%) of one's accumulated wealth and savings to those in need, typically calculated on assets held for over a year.

Eligibility

Not all Muslims are required to pay zakat. It is obligatory only for those who possess wealth above a certain threshold called the "nisab."

روى البخاري عن أبي ھریرة رضي الله عنھ قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله علیھ وسلم:

من آتاه الله مالا فلم يؤد زكاته مثل له ماله يوم القيامة شجاعا أقرع له زبيبتان يطوقه يوم القيامة ، ثم يأخذ بلهزمتيه يعني شدقيه ثم يقول أنا مالك ، أنا كنزك " ثم تلا ولا يحسبن الذين يبخلون الآية . رواه البخاري .

Hadith: “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes...” (Sahih Bukhari)

Recipients

The Quran specifies eight categories of recipients for zakat:

The poor - The needy - Zakat collectors - Those whose hearts are to be reconciled -  Those in bondage - Those in debt -  In the cause of Allah - The wayfarer (travelers in need) 

Effects of Zakat

Social Impact

Zakat plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and inequality. It redistributes wealth within the Muslim community, ensuring that the less fortunate have their basic needs met.

Economic Impact

By circulating wealth, zakat stimulates economic activity. It can help alleviate financial hardships, support small businesses, and create jobs.

Spiritual Impact

For the giver, zakat purifies wealth and fosters a sense of spiritual growth and moral responsibility. It reinforces the values of empathy, generosity, and social justice.

سورة التوبة الاية ٦٠

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

Surah At-Tawbah (9:60): "Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] 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."