Zakat Simplified 2019

Editor's Notes

• #5: Imam Ghazali – Inner Dimensions of Zakaat: 1. Testing the degree of love for Allah (by separation from wealth which we live) 2. The elimination of miserliness and Greed 3. Expression of gratitude (for it is only from Allah that we received) Zakat is the one pillar that scholars have long identified as having the most obvious dual function of being an act of obedience to God and a means by which to affect positively the lives of human beings. As mentioned, Mulla Ali al-Qari (d. 1014 AH) describes Zakat as the “bridge to Islam.”
• #37: - NOT ZAKATABLE
• #41: Gold – 7.5 Tola – 87.48 grams (Price on 7 May 2019 = Rs.3,180 per gram – Kolkata) https://www.goodreturns.in/ Silver – 52.5 Tola – 612.32 grams (Price on 2 May 2018 = Rs.37,500 per kg)
• #42: Rate on 6 June 2015 – 24 ct Gold 2707 / gram, Silver 39776 / kg
• #55: Once liability of Zakat is ascertained, it is the duty of the owner of the asset to pay Zakat immediately. Someone else (like husband on behalf of wife) can pay on behalf is permitted. Non-liquid asset is NOT an excuse. These categories address the following objectives and highlight the problems that arise from ignoring spending in any of these areas: 1) 2) 3) 4) Al-Fuqara— poverty alleviation: the alternative is ongoing desperation, dislocation from the community, weakening of one’s faith, and the possibility of denial of God altogether. Al-Masakin— economic empowerment; the alternative is constant financial struggle and lack of communal resources since there would be fewer Zakat payers. Al-‘Amilina Alayha— efficient collection and effective Zakat administration of the other seven categories; the alternative is diminished collection and haphazard distribution. Al Mu’allafah Qulūbuhum— bringing hearts together through diplomacy, public relations, and social cohesion; the alternative is low social and political capital, animosity, and lack of influence.
• #56: Once liability of Zakat is ascertained, it is the duty of the owner of the asset to pay Zakat immediately. Someone else (like husband on behalf of wife) can pay on behalf is permitted. Non-liquid asset is NOT an excuse. 5) Fir Riqab —emancipation, providing basic equality of rights and opportunity; the alternative is inequality and unfulfilled human potential. 6) 7) Al-Gharimīn— removing burdensome financial constraints that result from debt; the alternative is poor mental health for those in debt, tension between lenders and borrowers, discouragement of the practice of lending if there is no backup for lenders who face bad debts. Fī Sabīlillāh —supporting God’s cause and providing internal and external protection, by supporting those in the community who give of their time to represent and advocate on behalf of Islam and Muslims; and by supporting scholarship, so that scholars can guide people in a relevant way, and respond to the ideological and intellectual challenges of the day; the alternative is weakness in the face of external challenges, moral decline within the community, and low religious literacy. 8) Ibn al-Sabīl— for emergency situations, dealing with temporary dislocation; the alternative is social tension within and across communities if there is an inability to deal with stranded migrants or emergency scenarios.
• #69: Anas ibn Malik reported: A man from the Ansar came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and begged from him. The Prophet said, “Have you nothing in your house?” The man said, “Yes, a piece of cloth, a part of which we wear and a part of which we spread on the ground, and a wooden bowl from which we drink water.” The Prophet said, “Bring them to me.” The man brought these articles to him and the Prophet took them in his hands and he said, “Who will buy these?” Someone said, “I will buy them for one coin.” The Prophet said twice or thrice, “Who will offer more than one coin?” Someone said, “I will buy them for two coins.” He sold them for two coins and the Prophet said, “Buy food with one of them and give it to your family. Buy an axe and bring it to me.” The man brought it to him. The Prophet fixed a handle on it with his own hands and he said, “Go gather firewood and sell it, and do not let me see you for a fortnight.” The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten coins, he came and bought a garment and food. The Prophet said, “This is better for you than for begging to come as a blemish on your face on the Day of Resurrection. Begging is appropriate only for three people: one in severe poverty, one in severe debt, and one who must pay a difficult compensation.”