Zakat

Everyone understands that the payment of zakat and zakat fitrah is obligatory upon those who can afford it. Among other things, zakat purifies wealth and its owner. Until the obligation to pay zakat is met, it must be understood that the person is keeping what rightfully belongs to the poor and needy and other recipients of zakat categories or beneficiaries.

Certainly if people in the Muslim Ummah carry out their zakat obligation faithfully in obedience to the Commands of Allah, there will be less poverty in society. Those who have financial problems would certainly be assisted. The same applies to organisations which can be helped in their welfare activities which are useful to society.

If every person who is obliged to pay zakat does so, zakat can help to upgrade the Ummah. Zakat Fitrah completes the act of fasting in Ramadhan.Until it is paid, the merit of fasting is suspended so to speak, between heaven and earth. Accordingly the importance of zakat is underlined because of its significance. The Prophet explained in one of the hadiths.

There are four conditions for obligation of zakat:
1
The person professes Islam
2
Wealth is fully owned 
3
The minimum level of wealth or Nisab necessary for zakat is available at the rate of 86 grams of gold
4
One Islamic year has passed over the wealth owned.
 

Allah reminds us in verse 5 of Surah At Taubah of the Quran.
" But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular zakat,
then open the way for them: For God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
In the same chapter verse 34 Allah declares!
"And there are those who bury gold and silver and spent it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a most grievous penalty."

 
There are eight categories of zakat beneficiaries:
1. Fakir

those who are needy destitute, have no source of income and are unable to obtain employment.
2. Miskin

those with very small and inadequate level of income for sustenance of their daily needs.
3. Amil

those who are appointed to collect and distribute the zakat.
4. Mualaf

those whose hearts are to be reconciled including converts and prospective converts.
5. Riqab

captives who are given the opportunity to redeem or free themselves from bondage.
6. Gharim

those who are in debt because of family or self for lawful reasons.

7. Fisabillah

striving in the path of Allah.

8. Ibnu Sabil

travellers who are stranded in the course of a lawful journey including students going overseas for studies.

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