Zakat, the third pillar of Islam

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and is associated with prayers in the Quran, mosque-goers will hear today.

The prayer is a connection between believers and their Lord, and Zakat creates a connection among his creation.

Obedience to Allah is the doorway to attain his mercy. The Almighty says: “But My mercy encompasses all things. So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give Zakat and those who believe in Our verses.” (Al-Aaraf: 156)

Allah has prescribed for his servants obligatory charity. He says: “And establish prayer and give Zakat.” (Al-Baqara: 43)

The imam will tell worshippers when Zakat is due to be paid and its amount.

It is an obligatory act of worship. Every eligible Muslim must pay Zakat based on an amount of wealth accumulated around a full lunar year. The Prophet Mohammed said: “Whoever earns any money, he is not liable to pay Zakat until the period of a year has elapsed (while still possessing the same amount of money).”

The money a Muslim possesses should reach the Zakat Nisab ( minimum amount liable for paying Zakat), which is estimated at about Dh12,500. Then, he must pay Zakat at a rate of 2.5 per cent.

It is also payable every year on livestock animals, where each category has a fixed Nisab amount based on the number of animals owned.

People eligible to receive Zakat were defined by Allah in his holy book.

He said: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] 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] traveller – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (At-Tawba: 60)