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Conditions
for Zakah
Zakah
is the third pillar of Islam. It enables us to purify our wealth and fulfill
a compulsory act of worship. Several conditions must be fulfilled before
zakah is due. These conditions are necessary as zakah can only be applied
on those who are of legal age and who own enough assets. These conditions
are categorized into two broad categories, namely performer and asset.
1.
Zakah Performer
Muslim
Every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty (bolough) and
owns enough assets is required to pay zakah.
2.
Zakah Asset
Full ownership
A Muslim will only be required to pay zakah if he or she has full
and legal ownership of an asset.
Assets
intended for increasing wealth
Zakah is payable only on those assets that are acquired for the purpose
of creating or generating wealth. Some examples of this type of assets
are cash savings, inventory of goods used for trade or sale, investments
such as gold or securities that have potential for appreciation in value,
and livestock or crops that are traded or sold.
Assets
that exceed a minimum value
Zakah need only be paid on those assets that exceed a minimum value. This
minimum value is calculated based on the market price of 3 oz. of gold.
This minimum value is termed nisab.
Completion
of Haul
Haul is defined as the completion period for a zakah asset.
The length of time for haul is one Hijrah year.
Once
these conditions are met the payment of zakah becomes an obligation for
a Muslim.
Zakah
Test
- Do
you have $2500.00 in cash savings?
- Do
you have $2500.00 in stocks?
- Do
you have $2500.00 in gold/silver?
- Do
you have $2500.00 in business worth?
- Do
you have $2500.00 in cattle?
- Do
you have $2500.00 in other assets?
-
Do you have $2500.00 in all of the above?
If
you answered yes to ANY of the above questions then you should pay zakah.
Beneficiaries
of Zakah
Recipients
of Zakah
There are eight categories of people who are the beneficiaries of zakah
which are mentioned in the Qur’an. (Surah
Tauba: 60)
- The
Poor (al-Fuqura’)
-
The Needy (al-Masakin)
- Administrators
of Zakah (al-A’mileen)
-
Those inclined to Islam (Muallaf)
-
Captives seeking freedom (Riqab)
- Debtors
(al-gharimeen)
- For
the cause of Allah (fi sabil lillah)
- Wayfarers
(ibn as-sabil)
Payment
of Zakah
The zakah is to be paid locally
to the Muslim community where the individual lives and earns his or her
income. According to the scholars, the poor of this city have a prior
claim over local zakah than the poor elsewhere. The leadership of the
local Muslim community is responsible to collect and distribute the zakah.
The Zakah Committee will distribute zakah to those individuals in Central
Florida in the above categories. Zakah can only be sent outside when the
Zakah Committee has surplus over the needs of the local community. Therefore,
the correct way to give our zakah is as follows:
- Pay
zakah on a specific date each Hijrah year, for example: Ramadan 27.
- Calculate
your zakah or have the Zakah Committee or an accountant calculate it.
- Make
the intention when paying zakah and do not mix zakah with other donations.
- Pay
your zakah on time and in full to the Zakah Committee (which is in charge
of collecting and distributing zakah in Central Florida.)
For more details, see this article,
containing the sources on which these opinions are based.
For a printable payment form, click here
Types
of Zakah
Zakah
al-Fitr
Zakah al-Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim regardless of their
age, status or wealth. It has to be paid by the end of Ramadan or on the
day of Eid before the Eid prayer. The head of the household may pay the
required amount for all other family members (including an unborn baby).
The amount of zakah payable is approximately 5 lb. of staple food in the
relevant country or an amount of money that is equivalent to the price
of the food. The dollar amount is approximately $9.00 per person.
Zakah
al-Mal (on wealth)
Zakah al-Mal is a cyclic charity based on the amount of wealth owned by
a Muslim individual or organization. This payment is obligatory upon any
Muslim individual or organization that has completed the requirement of
nisab and haul (one hijrah calendar year). The payment
is 2.5% out of the total wealth deemed for zakah. Nisab is the equivalent
value of 3 oz. of gold, which equaled approximately $2500.00
Zakah
Due Date:
Zakah
becomes due immediately one year from
-
The
first day you acquired nisab for the first time
-
The
date you paid zakah the previous year
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