Zakat in Islam-I

Zakat is a great obligation authorized by Almighty Allah for the purpose of maintaining solidarity among the Muslim community. It is taken from the rich and given to the poor. It is an obligatory expenditure from one’s wealth under certain conditions, and it is given to specific groups of people and at a known time. It is one of the pillars of Islam and connected with prayer in many places in the Glorious Quran.

Muslims unanimously agree on its obligation. Among the evidences for that is the Noble Quran, in the chapter titled Al-Baqara (Verse 110) Allah says, “And perform Prayer and give zakat.” Additionally, in the two authentic hadith collections, or the sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), on the authority of Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with him), he said, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that Islam was built on five pillars, and he mentioned paying zakat among them.”

Al-Bukhari reported the story of Muadh’s (RA) dispatch to Yemen, at which time Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “If they obey you in that, then tell them that Almighty Allah has enjoined upon them a zakat to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.”

Recipients of Zakat: The origin in the disbursement of zakat is found in the Holy Quran in the chapter titled Al-Tawba (Verse 60): “Zakat is only for the fuqara (poor) and al-masakin (the needy), and those employed to collect it, and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, and to free captives, and those in debt, and for Allah’s cause, and those fighting in God’s path, and for the wayfarer (a traveler) – a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is all-Knowing, all-Wise.”

Zakat has a great purpose that becomes evident through contemplation of related texts from the Noble Quran and sunnah (saying, acts and approvals of Prophet Muhammad – PBUH) that order the payment of the obligatory zakat, such as the verses above and other verses and hadiths that urge Muslims to pay zakat and spending in charitable causes in general.