Zakat, also known as almsgiving, is the fourth pillar upon which the faith of Islam rests upon.
It is not just encouraged in Islam, it is mandatory upon all Muslims to give in the way of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and help the needy.
Zakat is the act of taking a portion of the wealth that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has given you and giving it to those who are not as fortunate.
In all sense and purposes, Zakah is a ‘purification’ of wealth; it cleanses the person’s wealth, instills empathy, generosity, and love in the heart of the giver and protects the individual from becoming stingy and miserly.
The religion of Islam is based on helping your fellow brothers and sisters and giving back to society rather than hogging your wealth just for yourself.
Giving charity is an integral part of being a good Muslim.
It is important to note that Zakat is different from voluntary almsgiving (Sadaqah) because Zakat is mandatory for every able Muslim whereas Sadaqah is given on a completely voluntary basis.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has laid great emphasis on Zakaat in His book, The Holy Quran, mentioning it 70 times, which only goes to show the importance of giving Zakat in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and helping the needy.
If one considers Salah to be a form of worship that is carried out physically, Zakat is a form of worship, which is carried out through financial means.
“And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practice regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).” (Surah Anbiya:73)
The amount of Zakat varies on the different types of valuables owned by the person e.g. gold, silver, cash, property, livestock etc.
It is to be paid every year after one year’s procession.
Giving Zakat brings in endless rewards and blessings from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, not only this world but the Hereafter as well.
It is a reminder that all wealth comes from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and belongs to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and we are merely receivers of His gift.
A portion of everyone’s wealth is a portion that has been pre-ordained by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala to give to the poor.
The fact is, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala does not need Zakat, He is not dependent on anything.
In turn, we are the ones who need Allah’s Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala provisions and blessings.
The purpose of Zakat is to maintain an equilibrium in society and distributing the wealth taken from the rich and using it to help the poor and easing their life in this world.
Hence, it is our moral duty as Muslims to give as much as we can to those who need it and help as much as we can!
Hence, it is our moral duty as Muslims to give as much as we can to those who need it and help as much as we can!
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Zakaah can only be spent in the eight categories that are mentioned in Surah at-Taubah.
Allaah says:
“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”
[al-Tawbah 9:60]
It’s allowed to give someone Zakaah who’s struggling to make ends meet but also has some amount of gold or money that meets the Nisaab
So it’s possible for a person to PAY Zakaah as well as RECEIVE Zakaah
Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen:
“A person is obliged to pay zakaah because he has the minimum threshold, but he is poor – is zakaah permissible for him?”
He said:
“Not everyone who has to pay zakaah is NOT entitled to zakaah. He may GIVE zakaah and BE GIVEN zakaah.”
(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (18/340)
If a person does not have enough to meet his needs, even if he has a house or some gold etc, then zakaat may still be given to him.
Or they may be in debt even if they have enough to get by. And so zakaat can be given to them to free them of that debt.
Shaikh Abd Al-Kareem Zaydaan said:
“If a woman owns jewelry, that does not make her rich if she does not own anything else, even if the jewellery is made of gold or silver and its value is equivalent to the nisaab of zakaah. She is still poor and is thus entitled to take zakaah.”
(Al-Mufassal Li Ahkaam Al-Mar’ah 1/421)
And Imaam Maalik said:
“If a person has a house and servant and nothing else, he may be given zakaah.”
(al-Mudawwanah, 3/221)
Imaam an-Nawawi said:
“If he has property but the income from it is less than is sufficient for him, then he is faqeer or miskeen [poor or needy] so he may be given zakaah to ensure he has sufficient to live on, and he should not be made to sell his property.”
(Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 6/174)
And Allaah knows best.