Zakat Presentation

Important Fiqh Rules الأحكام الشرعية تفتقر في ثبوتها للأدلة الصحيحة الصريحة All Shari’ah Rulings must be verified with clear-cut, authentic proofs أقوال الأئمة يستدل لها ولا يستدل بها The statements of scholars cannot be used as proofs, rather must be proven as correct الحق لا يعرف بالرجال The Truth is not known by those who follow it

Definition  Definition of Zakah  Linguistically: blessing, purity, growth….etc.  Legal Meaning: An act of worship in which one gives out a specific amount of money at a specific time to a specific group of people under certain conditions.  Link between the ‘Linguistic’ and ‘Legal’ meanings of Zakah.  It is also referred to as ‘Sadaqah’ in the Qur’an.

A Verse  Allah says: خذ من أموالهم صدقة تطهرهم وتزكيهم بها وصل عليهم إن صلاتك سكن لهم والله سميع عليم Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

An Authentic Hadeeth  The Messenger of Allah said: أعلمهم أن الله افترض عليهم صدقة في أموالهم تؤخذ من أغنيائهم وترد على فقرائهم  Tell them that there is a charity due upon them to be taken from their rich and to be given back to their poor. (Bukhari)

Status of Zakah in Islam  A pillar of Islam. Abu Bakr fought against those who refused to pay Zakah. لو منعوني عقالا لجاهدتهم عليه  It is mentioned 33 times in the Qur’an. Also a duty for previous nations.  It is a means through which one will obtain the mercy of Allah. ورحمتي وسعت كل شيء فسأكتبها للذين يتقون ويؤتون الزكاة والذين هم بآياتنا يؤمنون  A condition for gaining victory. ولينصرن الله من ينصره إن الله لقوي عزيز. الذين إن مكناهم في الأرض أقاموا الصلاة وآتوا الزكاة

Status of Zakah in Islam hood in Islam.  Strengthens brotherhood in Islam فإن تابوا وأقاموا الصلاة وآتوا الزكاة فإخوانكم في الدين  An attribute of a believing society, and the sign of a believer. والمؤمنون والمؤمنات بعضهم أولياء بعض يأمرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر ويقيمون الصلاة ويؤتون الزكاة ويطيعون الله ورسوله أولئك سيرحمهم الله إن الله عزيز حكيم

Benefits of Zakah  There are many benefits, of them are:  A cause for Khair and protection from punishments. Ibn Umar said: ‘when they prevent giving out their Zakah they would be prevented from rain, and had it not been for the animals they would not have received a drop of rain.’  It effaces the sins. The Prophet said: ‘Sadaqah would efface the sins as water puts out fire.’

Types of Zakah  Zakat an-Nafs (Tazkiyat an-Nafs). قد أفلح من زكاها وقد خاب من دساها  Zakat al-Badan (Zakat al-Fitr) There are a number of hadeeth that speak of Zakat al-Fitr.  Zakat al-Maal – a number of verses have been mentioned regarding it.

General Conditions of Zakah  Islam.  Absolute Possession. i.e. that it belongs to him, and he may do with it as he pleases.  Reaching the Nisab *Nisab of gold 20 Mithqal, which equals 85 grams of pure gold. كان يأخذ من كل عشرين مثقالا نصف مثقال *Nisab of silver 200 Islamic dirham, which equals 595 grams of pure silver. في الرقة ربع العشر  Passing of one lunar year while the wealth is under a person’s possession and remains at Nisab level. لا زكاة في مال حتى يحول عليه الحول

Beneficiaries of Zakah ) إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ( التوبة / 60  Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

Faqeer – Poor / Miskeen - Needy  Who are they? Scholars have differed. Fact: The Faqeer is poorer than the Miskeen. (Allah began by mentioning them in the verse).  Fact: The Miskeen my own something. Allah says: أما السفينةُ فكانت لمساكين يعملون في البحر  Fact: Faqeer doesn’t have any money, for it is not mentioned in the Qur'an that they own anything. مَا الْمِسْكِينُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الَّذِي لَا يَجِدُ غِنًى يُغْنِيهِ وَلَا يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا ‏

Those who Distribute it  They are those who have been charged by the Imam to distribute the Zakah to those who deserve it.  It is to be given in fair proportion on account of the work he is putting forth. ” لا تحل الصدقة لغني إلا لخمسة : لعامل عليها...“

Softening the Hearts  Scholars are at variance… Imam Ahmed and ash- Shafi’ee state that they would receive a share on account of what is mentioned in the verse. This is the more correct opinion.  This Opinion has been supported by Sheik Islam b. Taymiyyah, on account of what is mentioned in the verse.  It can also be given to ward away one’s evil or to strengthen one’s Iman. والمؤلفة قلوبهم

Those in Debt  Those in debt are of two categories: a. One who is indebted for something lawful. Taking a loan to help in marriage, or a debt in general. b. To make good between two groups of Muslims… by settling their affairs with a financial settlement. c. One cannot take Zakah to make a mortgage payment!

In the Path of Allah  When ‘Fee Sabeel Allah’ is mentioned in general, it refers to Jihad.  Imam Abu Hanifah, Malik, Ash-Shafi’ee, and Ahmed all stated that it refers to Jihad or an aspect of Jihad.

In the Path of Allah  There is an odd opinion mentioned by al-Hasan al- Basri that Imam Malik said, ‘What is meant are all avenues of goodness.’ كل وجوه البر  Proof for this: The wording of the verse is general.  Response: No use for using an ‘inclusive’ clause at the beginning of the verse.  Proof: الحج من سبيل الله This hadeeth is weak; thus, cannot be used as a decisive proof in this issue.

Wayfarer  Who is he? He is the one who is traveling and has lost all his finances during the trip and is stranded.  Condition: The trip must be a ‘lawful’ trip. If the trip is ‘unlawful’ and he has made Tobah, he too can be given of the Zakah.  He is to be given that which will make it easy for him to reach his country.

Details of Zakah Beneficiaries  The Ulama mention: لا يجوز صرفها في غيرهم من بناء المساجد والقناطر وسد البثوق وتكفين الموتى ووقف المصاحف. It is not lawful to spend the Zakah to build a Masjid, bridges, or to fix a dam; as it is not lawful to use the money to shroud a deceased or to purchase a Mushaf.  The Proof is in the words of Allah: إنما الصدقات للفقراء...

Zakah on Money  Obligation of Zakah on monies. *all currencies (banknotes, coins).  Proofs from the Quran: ( والذين يكنزون الذهب والفضة ولا ينفقونها في سبيل الله فبشرهم بعذاب أليم )  Proofs from the Sunnah: ( ما من صاحب ذهب ولا فضة لا يؤدي حقها إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة صفحت له صفائح من نار فأحمي عليها في نار جهنم فيكوى بها جنبه وجبينه وظهره )

Zakah Activity for Nisaab  If one gram of silver is =.20 Canadian cents and the Nisab of silver is 595 grams of ‘pure’ silver… the Nisab would then be 120 Canadian Dollars.  120 Canadian Dollars would then be the money Nisab.  Let’s say someone has saved 1000 dollars for one lunar year, 2.5% is the percentage taken from the money that has reached nisab, then the sum of Zakah is 1000 (multiplied by) 2.5% = 25 dollars

Zakah Activity for Nisaab  If one gram of gold = 30 dollars Canadian, and the Nisab of gold is 85 grams of ‘pure’ gold… the Nisab would then be 2550 Canadian Dollars.  2550 Canadian Dollars would then be the money Nisab.  Let’s say someone has saved 5000 dollars for one lunar year, 2.5% is the percentage taken from the money that has reached nisab, then the sum of Zakah is 5000 (multiplied by) 2.5% = 125 dollars

Jewelry  Is Zakah due on Jewelry that is used for personal use? Scholars are at variance.  Zakah is due on ‘pure’ gold or silver. *Pure gold = 24 carat gold.  Zakah on gold ornaments and jewelry that is ‘haram’.  Zakah on utensils made from gold or silver.  Zakah on precious stones; diamonds, rubies, pearls.

White Gold  White gold is a mixture of metals including gold.  Due to this Zakah is due on it when it reaches Nisaab which is 85 grams. 2.5% is due on it in this case.

Simple Zakah Equation for Gold Equation to figure out Zakah on Jewelry: Weight of Gold (multiplied by) Purity of Gold (multiplied by) price of one gram of Gold on the day Zakah is due (multiplied by) 2.5% (divided by) 24

1 st Situation  Zakat on Wages: a. If no money is saved, then there is no Zakah at all. b. If the money is saved, and the amount that is saved reaches the Nisab, then in that case Zakah is due. For example if from each month a person saves 150 dollars and it remains with him till the end of the year, he can pay the amount due each month or wait till the end of the year and pay it all off at once.

2 nd Situation  Money goes less than Nisaab.  If one has a 1000 dollars which he has kept for a period of10 months and he then uses the 970 dollars. The Nisaab has not been maintained for a 12 lunar month period, so in this case if the money reaches the Nisaab again, the period will begin from that point on.

3 rd Situation  If the one loses ownership during the period of 12 lunar months.  If one ceases to own Nisaab before the end of the year, then zakaah is not obligatory on it.

4 th Situation  Zakah on a loan.  If the loan is with one who can pay it back then in that case it would be best for him to give the Zakah.  If the loan is with one who cannot pay it back, then one is not required to pay Zakah, but it is best in this case for him to do so.