What is Zakaat?

Allah Ta’ala has created human beings and genie only for His worship.  It is given in the Holy Quran:

 

And I created the jinn and human beings solely to adopt My servitude.  Surah Dhariyaat (51:56)

 

In Islam, worship is not limited to the confines of a Masjid.  Worship in this religion is not a mere ritual.  Instead, worship in Islam enables a person to become close to the Lord Almighty and to develop cordial relations with the creation.  The Islamic forms of worship carry a profound relevancy and a deep effect.  The role played by Islamic forms of worship in bettering the society cannot be denied.

 

Be it Salaat, fast, Zakaat, Haj, Itikaaf, Qurbani or other forms of charity, directly or indirectly, they are beneficial not only to the person who does them but also benefit the society as a whole.

 

The Islamic system of Zakaat is a perfect example of sympathy for others and brotherhood.  It also stands as a testimony to mutual help and economic justice in the society.  By implementing the system of Zakaat in its totality, the world can free itself of economic injustice.  Mankind can save itself from economic problems and a gratified society can be developed in which all sections can lead a contented life as per their status.  The individuals of the society will be ethical and will be free of greed, avarice, selfishness and opportunism. 

 

Through Zakaat, wealth is distributed properly.  Wealth will not be stagnant in a few hands.  Needy people will receive their monetary dues.  The way business people and craftsmen, etc. lead affluent lives, in the same way, the necessary needs of the poor and needy people will be fulfilled.  There will be no bad blood between the affluent and the needy folk.

 

In the Islamic forms of worship, the form of worship, which is the most important after Salaat is Zakaat, which is a pillar of Islam and an essential article in it.  The obligation of Zakaat is explicitly established by the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the consensus of the Ummah and by analogical deduction support and emphasize it.

 

Literal meaning of Zakaat

 

The literal meaning of Zakaat is purity (Taharah) and to increase.  These are amply found in the wealth from which Zakaat is given.  The wealth from which Zakaat is given is pure and there is an increase in it.  As given in Al Bahr Ur Raiq Sharh Kanz Ud Daqaaiq, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 352.

 

Shariah meaning of Zakaat

 

In the terminology of the Shariah, Zakaat means making a needy person who is not from the family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) nor a slave released by them, the absolute owner of a specific part of a wealth by a person whose wealth reaches the prescribed limits of Zakaat.

 

As given in the famous book of the Hanafi school of Fiqh, Kanz Ud Daqaaiq, Kitab Uz Zakaat, Pg. No. 55)

 

The order of Zakaat

 

Zakaat is an essential obligation among the obligations of Islam.  This is the third article of Islam after the testification of the Unity of Allah Ta’ala and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Zakaat is obligatory on an adult, sane, free Muslim (man or woman) whose wealth reaches the prescribed limits as soon as a year passes on that wealth.

 

The person who denies the obligation of Zakaat is out of the fold of Islam.  The past Ummah of different Prophets also had this obligation.  For the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), this command was given in 2 Hijri before fasts were made obligatory, when the condition of the Muslims was such that they badly needed mutual help and cooperation.

 

As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Kitab Uz Zakaat.

 

Zakaat is not compulsory for the Prophets

 

There is complete agreement and consensus that the Prophets don’t have to give Zakaat.  This is because Zakaat is a means of purifying those who can be blemished when the Prophets are those who are free of any and every impurity.

 

As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Kitab Uz Zakaat.