What is Zakat?

Zakat is an obligatory charitable giving in Islam, where financially capable Muslims donate a portion of their wealth to help those in need.

Zakat meaning: Zakat means purification or growth. It signifies the purification of one's wealth and soul through charitable giving and the development of one's wealth through blessings from Allah.

Calculate Zakat: Zakat is an obligatory charitable giving in Islam, typically calculated as 2.5% of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a certain threshold. Nisab is an Islamic term. It means that after meeting daily needs and necessities if one has fifty-two and a half talas of silver or seven and a half talas of gold or if one owns commercial goods of equivalent value,

What is Zakat in Islam?

 Zakat in Islam is a fundamental pillar and obligation designed to alleviate poverty, redistribute wealth, and purify one's wealth.

In Islam, Zakat is a form of almsgiving and religious tax. It's one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is considered obligatory for all Muslims who meet specific criteria. Here are the basic rules regarding Zakat:

1. Eligible Wealth: Zakat refers to specific forms of wealth, including savings, gold, silver, livestock, agricultural produce, and business assets. These assets must surpass a particular threshold called Nisab.
2. Nisab Threshold: This is the minimum wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. The value of Nisab is determined based on the current value of silver or gold.
3. Zakat Rate: Zakat is usually 2.5% of one's eligible wealth. For example, if someone's total wealth meets or exceeds the Nisab threshold, they must pay 2.5% of that wealth as Zakat.

Eligible Recipients: Zakat goes to different categories of people who are in need. It includes the poor and needy, debtors, individuals who work to collect Zakat, enslaved people who are seeking their freedom, individuals in debt, travelers who are stranded, and those who are in God's path (fisabilillah).

Timing: It is advisable. Nevertheless, the commencement of one's Zakat year is at each person's discretion. Many individuals opt for the Islamic lunar calendar, although the Gregorian calendar can also determine it.

Intent and Purity: One must desire to fulfill their religious commitment while giving Zakat. Furthermore, the wealth that serves Zakat has to be acquired cleanly and lawfully.

Importance: Zakat serves both spiritual and societal purposes. It purifies one's wealth and helps redistribute wealth among society's less fortunate members, fostering social justice and solidarity.

Exemptions: Certain categories of people may be exempt from paying Zakat, such as those who are in debt or do not possess wealth above the Nisab threshold.

Zakat in Quran: The notion of Zakat appears multiple times in the Quran, emphasizing its significance in Islam and Muslims' need to execute this commitment.

•  Pray and give zakah; Allah will reward you with anything you seek. Indeed, Allah sees all that you do." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:110)
•  "O Muhammad, take charity from their wealth to purify and increase it, and invoke Allah's blessings on them." Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:103)

Who is eligible for Zakat: According to verse 60 of Surah Tawba, those who are eligible for Zakat are:

• Fakir: One with no or very few means of subsistence.
• Poor: People in need whose earnings are insufficient to meet their essential needs and those of their dependents.
• Employees engaged in collecting and distributing Zakat, called amilin.
• A new Muslim who is in the process of converting to Islam or a non-Muslim who wishes to convert to Islam.
• A ransomed enslaved person or enslaved person.
• A debtor who wants to repay a debt with Zakat money.
• A person actively engaged in the propagation and establishment of Islam in the way of Allah (Mujahid).
• Passengers in danger.

Zakat rules: Zakat rules encompass criteria for eligibility, calculation methods, distribution guidelines, and the types of wealth subject to Zakat.

Types of Zakat: Zakat has two categories: Zakat al-Mal (wealth) and Zakat al-Fitr (end of Ramadan). Zakat al-Fitr purifies fasting and helps people in need. The Zakat of Fast-Breaking is for completing the fasting month of Ramadan.

 Importance of Zakat in Islam: Zakat holds immense significance in Islam as it fosters social cohesion, economic justice, and spiritual purification within the Muslim community. Here is a breakdown of the importance of Zakat:

Religious Obligation

• Wealth Purification
• Social Welfare
• Support for the Needy
• Community Solidarity
• Spiritual Growth
• Accountability

Why is Zakat necessary?

Zakat is crucial in Islam as it helps address poverty, promotes social welfare, and ensures equitable distribution of wealth, fostering a sense of compassion and solidarity among Muslims.

Zakat in Ramadan: Zakat is often given during Ramadan, as it is a time of increased spiritual devotion and generosity in the Muslim community.

Where to pay Zakat: Zakat can be paid to designated Zakat agencies, charitable organizations, or individuals eligible to receive it.

Concept of Zakat: Zakat embodies the principle of wealth redistribution, social responsibility, and spiritual growth, reflecting the core values of Islam.

When to give Zakat: Once a person's wealth is above the nisab barrier and has been retained for a full lunar year, they must pay Zakat.

Zakat in Quran and Hadith: The Quran and Hadith contain numerous references to Zakat, emphasizing its importance and the rewards for fulfilling this obligation.

Hadith. Here's a brief overview:

In the Quran:

• This verse outlines the principles of Zakat, emphasizing it as a duty upon those who possess wealth. It lists several groups of persons eligible for Zakat, including the underprivileged, the indigent, and travelers.
• This verse lists the eight groups of people eligible to receive Zakat. They are the impoverished, the needy, those in debt, and others who assist in collecting and distributing the money.
• Although this verse doesn't explicitly mention Zakat, it emphasizes giving in charity, which is closely related to the concept of Zakat.

In Hadith:

• Sahih al-Bukhari: This collection of Hadith contains a wealth of narrations about Zakat, covering its significance, calculation, and distribution. As per Sahih al-Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad stated that Islam has its foundation on five pillars. These pillars include testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.
• Sahih Muslim: Another significant collection of Hadith, Sahih Muslim, contains several narrations related to Zakat. These narrations provide further details on who is eligible to receive Zakat and how it should be calculated and distributed.
• Sunan an-Nasa'i, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan Ibn Majah, and others: Other Hadith collections contain valuable information on Zakat, including specific rulings and guidelines.

Zakat according to Quran and Sunnah: Zakat is mandated both in the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad), underscoring its significance in Islamic jurisprudence.

Zakat, a required type of almsgiving in Islam, is described in the Quran and the Sunnah.

Here's a brief overview of Zakat as per these sources:

Quranic References:

The Quran mentions Zakat explicitly in several verses. For instance, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177) states: "Righteousness is not that you turn your faces towards 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 wealth, despite the love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves."

Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition):

The Prophet Muhammad elaborated on Zakat through his teachings and actions. His sayings (Hadith) provide detailed instructions on how Zakat should be calculated and distributed.

For example, He declared, for instance, that "whichever becomes wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, his financial status will be like a bald, poisonous male snake with two black spots over its eyes on the Day of Resurrection. The snake would bite his cheeks and wrap around his neck, declaring, "I am your treasure; I am your wealth." (Bukhari Sahih)

History of Zakat in Islam: Zakat has been a central tenet of Islam since its inception, playing a vital role in Muslim societies' economic and social structure throughout history.The concept of Zakat originates from the Quran, the holy book of Islam, where it is mentioned numerous times alongside prayers (Salat) as a fundamental practice for Muslims. Zakat appears in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177) as a responsibility for wealthy people.

The practice of Zakat dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century. The early Muslim community in Medina saw the implementation of guidelines by the Prophet for the collection and distribution of it.

Zakat is gathered from individuals whose wealth exceeds a specific threshold (Nisab) and then distributed to different groups of recipients, such as the poor, needy, debtors, travelers, and those working in the cause of Allah.

Zakat in Quran how many times: The Quran mentions Zakat multiple times, reinforcing its importance and the duty of Muslims to fulfill this obligation.
The word "Zakat" is mentioned 32 times in the Holy Quran. It is mentioned most often after Namaz.

Zakat conditions: Conditions for Zakat payment include being a Muslim, owning wealth above the nisab threshold, and meeting the lunar year criterion.

Who must pay Zakat: Muslims who possess wealth above the nisab threshold and have met the conditions for Zakat payment are obliged to pay Zakat.

Who is not eligible for Zakat: Those who do not meet the criteria for Zakat eligibility, such as non-Muslims, those below the nisab threshold, or individuals with unearned income below the specified threshold, are not eligible to receive Zakat.

Although there are many ways to perform Zakat, people in Bangladesh prefer wearing new clothes, like lungi, shari, and Panjabi.