Sub-section Five: Zakat

Zakat is one of the five essential pillars of Islam, for Islam is not worship that is alienated from life and society. It is a doctrine, worship, regulation, law, and obligatory cooperation among the members of the society in addition to voluntary cooperation. Zakat is worship the aim of which is social integrity and a contribution to eliminating poverty. Allah (SWT) has decreed that zakat is the right of the poor and it is not a favor on the part of the rich but an obligation incumbent on them. Moreover, Islam has regulated zakat with respect to its conditions and the way it is paid and distributed so that the purpose aimed at is fulfilled.

The state may levy the zakat fully or partially and distribute it to those entitled to receiving it with respect to manifest wealth according to the rules illustrated in the books of fiqh (jurisprudence). Following are some of the advantages of the collection of zakat by the state:

1.     Protecting the dignity of its recipients and respecting their feelings by not reminding them of being done a favor or causing them injury.

2.     It is not left for the individuals to pay lest those of weak faith should hesitate to pay it, for man is so constituted as to adore wealth, as Jews did. 

3.     So that it may be distributed fairly among those entitled to receiving it.

A Muslim pays zakat with the intention of paying “the zakat of his property, thanking Allah for the grace He has bestowed on him. Zakat purifies the souls of the payers, cleanses them from niggardliness and stinginess and makes them prefer what Allah likes to what they themselves like. Allah (SWT) says: “Take [O Muhammad] from their wealth charity by which you purify them and cause them increase…” (IX: 103) This is why it is called zakat (purification), as the word has the connotations of purification, growth and blessings contrary to the word “tax”, which implies oppression, coercion and fine levying. Therefore, a Muslim is exhorted to pay it willingly and to ask Allah to accept it, saying: “O Allah! Let it be a gain and do not let it be a loss!”[1] Allah (SWT) says: “You shall observe regular prayers and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it with Allah. Allah is seer of everything you do.” (II: 110)

Narrated Abu Hurairah that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “No person gives something good in charity—and Allah accepts only good things—but (Allah) the Beneficent takes it with His Right Hand, even if it is a single date, and it will grow in the Palm of the Beneficent till it becomes bigger than a mountain, as one of you makes his colt grow.”[2]

Zakat is taken on cattle, fruits, gold and silver. It is stipulated that the property subject to zakat has reached a certain amount (nisab) and has been in the possession of its owner for one full year. The details on that are found in the books of fiqh (jurisprudence).