Zakat

Encyclopedia : Z : ZA : ZAK : Zakat

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Zakāt (also Zakaat or Zakah; Arabic: زكاة‎ Classical Arabic: زكوة, Turkish: Zekât, English:alms, tithe) is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam in Islam . Zakât refers to spending a fixed portion of one's wealth for the poor,needy, zakat collectors, peoples whos hearts need to be reconciled, slaves, those in debt, in the way of Allah, and the travelers in the society. Its literal meaning is 'to grow (in goodness)' or 'increase', 'purifying', or 'making pure'. It is prescribed in the Qur'an:

"Of their goods take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf, verily thy prayers are a source of security for them." (9:103)

A Muslim may also donate an additional amount as an act of voluntary charity (sadaqah), in order to achieve additional divine reward.

There are two main types of zakât:

Zakât on self (zakât-ul-fitr) is a per head payment equivalent to cost of around 2.25 kilograms of the main food of the region (this may be wheat, dates or rice, depending on the place) paid during the month of Ramadan by the head of a family for himself and his dependents to the zakât collector (amil).

Zakât on wealth (zakât-ul-mal) comprises all other types of zakât, such as on business, on savings, on income, on crops, on livestock, on gold, on minerals, on hidden treasures unearthed, etc.

The payment of zakât is obligatory on all Muslims. In current usage it is interpreted as a 2.5% levy on most valuables and savings held for a full lunar year, if the total value is more than a basic minimum known as nisab (3 ounces or 87.48g of gold). At present (as of November 2005), nisab is approximately US $1,400 or an equivalent amount in any other currency [link].

Zakât is distributed among 8 categories of people:

Faqir - One who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood.
Miskin - One with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.
Amil - Workers associated with the collection and distribution of Zakat.
Muallafathul Quloob - One who converts to Islam. Literally those whose hearts are softened. Some scholars claim this also refers to poor non-muslims who do not have enmity towards Muslims.
Riqab - One who wants to free himself from bondage or the shackles of slavery.
Gharmin - One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet basic, halal expenditure).
Fisabillillah - Literal meaning 'In the way of God', but it is used for Jihad.
Ibnus Sabil - One who is stranded in journey.

External links

[The Zakat Foundation of America] - An excellent source of information regarding Zakat as well as a complete Zakat calculator. North American Muslims can also donate thier Zakat and Sadaqa through this site.
[All about Zakat and its benefits]
[Zakat Information Center]
[Zakat]
[Zakat Excel sheet calculator]
[Automatic Zakat calculator]
[Islamic-American Zakat Foundation]
[Zakat- A Pillar of Islam] (please note there is error in this article, it should read that zakat is due on one fourtieth of wealth and not "one forth")

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