Zakat

[glo]

I am sorry if this has been discussed before. I have searched, but don't seem to find anything relevant. I just want to clarify that I am understanding zakat correctly.

Is zakat meant for Muslims only?
Can it be used to meet the physical need of Muslim communities, or is it more intended to further Islam (more by means of teaching, schools etc)?

[glo]

This question has come up again in another thread, so I am bumping this thread up ...

Is there anybody who can explain exactly who receives zakat, and whether zakat is meant to be for Muslims only?

I found this quote on wikipedia. Is it correct?

As a general rule, the recipient must be a living Muslim who does not possess wealth equal or an excess of a prescribed threshold amount nisab.

Non-Muslims receive help through Sadaqah or charity. Only under special circumstances may a non-Muslim receive zakat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakat

[distressed]

my understanding is that its given to poor people as in third world countries. but i would be interested to know how do you define whos poor ? can zakat be passed to charities in uk ? as in hospices/hospitals ? or does it specifically hav to be dished out to certain areas/races.? also can zakat be used to sponser a child ? like in a third world country ?

D

[ardianto]

Salam, sister Glo.

I start with an example.
If you have food and you see your sister is in hungry, will you give your food to another person and let your sister still in hungry ?.
Of course you cannot do it. Your sister has a priority as the recipient of your aid.
Same like zakat. Poor Muslims have priority as the recipients because Muslims are not allowed to let their families stay in hungry. But it doesn't means zakat is only for Muslims. Under special circumstance, non-Muslims may receive zakat.

I give you another example. If you have two breads and your hungry sister needs only one bread, will you give all of your two breads to your sister and let other person near you in hungry ?. Or you will give her only one bread and give that hungry person your another bread ?.
This is what I mean with "under special circumstance, non-Muslims may receive zakat".

Zakat is not ordinary charity, but zakat is a tax for Muslims who able to pay it. There is rule in zakat such as how much, when to pay it, and who are the recipients. Read again this rule in that wikipedia article.

The ordinary charity is sadaqah. Different than zakat, there is no rule about how much and when. And the recipients are people who need help. There is no difference between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Zakat itself is not big. Zakat from income is only 2.5%. And Muslims who realize if everything that they have is given by Allah, must be will not have any objection if they must donate 5%, 10%, 20% or even 50% of their income. 2.5% as zakat and the rest as sadaqah.

Muslims are not allowed to let their neighbors hungry. Muslims are obligated to feed their hungry neighbor. Also, Muslims are not allowed to refuse to feed their hungry neighbors just because their neighbors are non-Muslims.

So, it is wrong if Muslims in non-Muslims land give big amount of sadaqah only to other Muslims in other place but let their non-Muslim neighbor still in hungry.

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[AhmadibnNasroon]

A school for imparting primary education to children is
in need of funds.Can Zakat be given to the school?

Praise be to Allaah.

The correct view is that it is not permissible to give zakaat to this school. Allaah has explained how the zakaat funds are to be spent, in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaat) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)…” [al-Tawbah 9:60]

The poor (faqeer) means the person who does not have anything.

The poor (miskeen) means a person who has something, but it is not enough.

Those employed to collect the funds means those who are appointed by the imaam (leader) to collect the zakaat. They are to be given an amount commensurate with their efforts, even if they are rich.

Attracting the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam). This refers to those whose hearts the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to soften so that they would become Muslim, or so that he could ward off their evil, or those whose resolve he wanted to strengthen and help them to be steadfast in Islam. These are the three types of those whose hearts were to be softened.

The captives refers to slaves who had drawn up a written contract with their masters to purchase their freedom, or the amount needed to purchase their freedom without a prior contract.

Those in debt refers to debtors who are unable to pay off their loans.

For Allaah’s Cause refers to the soldiers who are devoted to waging jihaad for the sake of Allaah and making the word of Islam prevail.

The wayfarer means a travelling stranger who is cut off from his wealth; he may be given whatever he needs even if he is rich in his own land.

The person who is paying zakaah may give his zakaat to all of the kinds of people mentioned above, or to some or one of these kinds, whichever it may be.

Some people give a broader meaning to the phrase “for Allaah’s Cause”, but the most correct view is that it refers to Jihaad, but it may also include Hajj.

Ibn Katheer said:

“The phrase ‘for Allaah’s Cause’ includes the fighters who have no right to a regular income from the state. According to Imaam Ahmad, al-Hasan and Ishaaq, the Cause of Allaah also includes Hajj, because of the hadeeth.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/367).

The hadeeth referred to was narrated by Imaam Ahmad; it states that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Hajj and ‘Umrah are included in the Cause of Allaah.”

In conclusion:

It is not permissible to use zakaat for this school, unless its students are poor or come under any of the eight categories referred to above. But in Islam the doors are open for people to help this school in other ways, by giving charity (sadaqah), donations and setting up awqaaf (endowments).

And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/6977/zakat%20for%20a%20school

[AhmadibnNasroon]

Zakat is meant for Muslims only and the exception to that are those non-Muslims whose hearts are inclined towards Islam as mentioned in the ayat of Surah al Taubah

60. As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ'[] (poor), and Al-Masâkin[] (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allâh's Cause (i.e. for Mujâhidûn - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.

ibn Kathir says

Expenditures of Zakah (Alms)

After Allah mentioned the protest that the ignorant hypocrites mentioned to the Prophet about the distribution of alms. He stated that it is He who divided the alms, explained its rulings and decided in its division; He did not delegate this decision to anyone else. Allah mentioned the expenditures of Zakah in this Ayah, starting with the Fuqara' (the poor) because they have more need than the other categories, since their need is pressing and precarious. It was reported that Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Ibn Zayd and several others said that the Faqir is a graceful person who does not ask anyone for anything, while the Miskin is the one who follows after people, begging. Qatadah said, "The Faqir is the ill person, while the Miskin is physically fit.'' We will now mention the Hadiths about each of these eight categories

The Fuqara' (Poor)

Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«لَا تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِيَ وَلَا لِذِي مِرَّةٍ سَوِي»

(The alms should not be given to the wealthy and the physically fit.) Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith.

The Masakin (Needy)

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,

«لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهَذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي يَطُوفُ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَتَرُدُّهُ اللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ، وَالتَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَان»

قالوا: فمن المسكين يا رسول الله؟ قال:

«الَّذِي لَا يَجِدُ غِنًى يُغْنِيهِ، وَلَا يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ، وَلَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا»

(The needy person is not the one who goes round the people and asks them for a mouthful or two (of meals) or a date or two). They asked, "Then who is the needy person, O Allah's Messenger!'' He said, (The one who does not have enough to satisfy his needs and whose condition is not known to others, that others may give him something in charity, and who does not beg of people.) The Two Shaykhs collected this Hadith

Those employed to collect Alms

Those employed to collect alms deserve a part of the alms, unless they are relatives of the Messenger of Allah , who are not allowed to accept any Sadaqah. Muslim recorded that `Abdul-Muttalib bin Rabi`ah bin Al-Harith and Al-Fadl bin Al-`Abbas went to the Messenger of Allah asking him to employ them to collect the alms. The Messenger replied,

«إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ لِمُحَمَّدٍ وَلَا لِآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، إِنَّمَا هِيَ أَوْسَاخُ النَّاس»

(Verily, the alms are not allowed for Muhammad nor the relatives of Muhammad, for it is only the dirt that the people discard.) Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum There are several types of Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum. There are those who are given alms to embrace Islam. For instance, the Prophet of Allah gave something to Safwan bin Umayyah from the war spoils of Hunayn, even though he attended it while a Mushrik. Safwan said, "He kept giving me until he became the dearest person to me after he had been the most hated person to me.'' Imam Ahmad recorded that Safwan bin Umayyah said, "The Messenger of Allah gave me (from the spoils of) Hunayn while he was the most hateful person to me. He kept giving me until he became the most beloved person to me.'' Muslim and At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith, as well. Some of Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum are given from alms so that they become better in Islam and their heart firmer in faith. For instance, the Prophet gave some of the chiefs of the Tulaqa' a hundred camels each after the battle of Hunayn, saying,

«إِنِّي لَأُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ وَغَيْرُهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْهُ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يُكِبَّهُ اللهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّم»

(I give a man (from the alms) while another man is dearer to me than him, for fear that Allah might throw him on his face in the fire of Jahannam.) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Sa`id said that `Ali sent the Messenger of Allah a gold nugget still in its dirt from Yemen. The Prophet divided it between four men: Al-Aqra` bin Habis, `Uyaynah bin Badr, `Alqamah bin `Ulathah and Zayd Al-Khayr, saying,

«أَتَأَلَّفُهُم»

(To draw their hearts closer.) Some people are given because some of his peers might embrace Islam, while others are given to collect alms from surrounding areas, or to defend Muslim outposts. Allah knows best.

The Riqab

Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Muqatil bin Hayyan, `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz, Sa`id bin Jubayr, An-Nakha`i, Az-Zuhri and Ibn Zayd said Riqab means those slaves who make an agreement with the master to pay a certain ransom for their freedom.'' Similar was reported from Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari. Ibn `Abbas and Al-Hasan said, "It is allowed to use Zakah funds to buy the freedom of slaves,'' indicating that `Riqab' has more general meanings than merely giving money to slaves to buy their freedom or one's buying a slave and freeing him on an individual basis. A Hadith states that for every limb [of the servant] freed, Allah frees a limb of the one who freed him from slavery, even a sexual organ for a sexual organ, for the reward is equitable to the deed,

[وَمَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلاَّ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ]

(And you will be requited nothing except for what you used to do.) [37:39]

Virtue of freeing Slaves

In the Musnad, there is a Hadith from Al-Bara' bin `Azib that a man asked, "O Allah's Messenger! Direct me to an action that draws me closer to Paradise and away from the Fire.'' The Messenger of Allah said,

«أَعْتِقِ النَّسَمَةَ وَفُكَّ الرَّقَبَة»

(Emancipate the person and free the neck (slave).) The man asked, "O Allah's Messenger! Are they not one and the same'' He said,

«لَا، عِتْقُ النَّسَمَةِ أَنْ تُفْرِدَ بِعِتْقِهَا، وَفَكُّ الرَّقَبَةِ أَنْ تُعِينَ فِي ثَمَنِهَا»

(No, you emancipate a person by freeing him on your own, but you untie a neck (slave) by helping in its price.)

Al-Gharimun (the Indebted)

There are several types of indebted persons. They include those who incur expenses in solving disputes between people, those who guarantee a loan that became due, causing financial strain to them, and those whose funds do not sufficiently cover their debts. It also includes those who indulged in a sin and repented from it. These types have a right to a part of alms [designated for Al-Gharimun]. Qabisah bin Mukhariq Al-Hilali said, "I carried a debt [resolving a dispute between people] and went to the Messenger of Allah asking him to help pay it. The Messenger said,

«أَقِمْ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَنَا الصَّدَقَةُ فَنَأْمُرَ لَكَ بِهَا»

(Be patient until some alms are brought to us so that we give it to you.) He then said,

«يَا قَبِيصَةُ إِنَّ الْمَسْأَلَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَحَدِ ثَلَاثَةٍ: رَجُلٍ تَحَمَّلَ حَمَالَةً فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَهَا ثُمَّ يُمْسِكَ، وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ جَائِحَةٌ اجْتَاحَتْ مَالَهُ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ أَوْ قَالَ: سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ فَاقَةٌ حَتَّى يَقُومَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْ ذَوِي الْحِجَا مِنْ قَرَابَةِ قَوْمِهِ فَيَقُولُونَ: لَقَدْ أَصَابَتْ فُلَانًا فَاقَةٌ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ، حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ أَوْ قَالَ: سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ فَمَا سِوَاهُنَّ مِنَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ سُحْتٌ يَأْكُلُهَا صَاحِبُهَا سُحْتًا»

(O Qabisah! Begging is only allowed for three: a man who incurred debts solving disputes, so he is allowed to beg until he collects its amount and then stops. A man who was inflicted by a disaster that consumed his wealth, he is allowed to beg until he collects what suffices for his livelihood. And a man who was overcome by poverty, that three wise relatives of his stand up and proclaim, `So-and-so was overcome by poverty.' This man is allowed to beg until he collects what sustains his livelihood. Other than these cases, begging is an unlawful amount that one illegally devours.) Muslim collected this Hadith. Abu Sa`id said, "During the time of the Messenger of Allah , a man was struck by disaster because of fruits that he bought, causing him extensive debts. The Prophet said,

«تَصَدَّقُوا عَلَيْه»

(Give him charity.) The people did that but the amount collected did not cover his debts. The Prophet said to the man's debtors,

«خُذُوا مَا وَجَدْتُمْ وَلَيْسَ لَكُمْ إِلَّا ذَلِك»

(Take what was collected, you will have nothing beyond that.)'' Muslim collected this Hadith.

Ibn As-Sabil (Wayfarer)

Ibn As-Sabil is a term used for the needy traveler in a land, where he does not have what helps him continue his trip. This type has a share in the Zakah for what suffices him to reach his destination, even if he had money there. The same is true for whoever intends to travel from his area but does not have enough money. This type also has a share in the Zakah money to suffice for his trip and back. This is proven in the Ayah as well as the following Hadith. Imams Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded that Ma`mar said that Zayd bin Aslam said that `Ata' bin Yasar said that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«لَا تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِيَ إِلَّا لِخَمْسَةٍ: لِعَامِلٍ عَلَيْهَا، أَوْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَاهَا بِمَالِهِ، أَوْ غَارِمٍ، أَوْ غَازٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، أَوْ مِسْكِينٍ تُصُدِّقَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهَا فَأَهْدَى لِغَنِي»

(Sadaqah is not rightful for a wealthy person except in five cases: those employed to collect it, one who bought a charity item with his money, a Gharim (debtor), a fighter in the cause of Allah, or a poor man who gets a part of the Zakah so he gives it as a gift to a rich man.) Allah's statement,

[فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ]

(a duty imposed by Allah), means, a decision, decree and division ordained by Allah,

[وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ]

(And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise), knowledgeable of all things outwardly and inwardly and what benefits His servants,

[حَكِيمٌ]

(All-Wise), in all what he declares, does, legislates and decides, there is no true deity or lord except Him.

[وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ النَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ]

[glo]

Thank you, ardianto.
I much appreciate you effort in writing your reply (twice! :D), and it helps me understand the concept of zakat better.

I find your last two paragraphs especially encouraging.

I know that our local mosque supports causes in Pakistan, because the congregation is largely Pakistani and many have friends and relatives in Pakistan.

[AhmadibnNasroon]

I suggest the brothers and sisters take these questions to the Multaqa forums

[glo]

Zakat is meant for Muslims only and the exception to that are those non-Muslims whose hearts are inclined towards Islam as mentioned in the ayat of Surah al Taubah

How would that work in practice?

If zakat was given, say, to an organisation which provides food and aid in a Muslim village, but some needy non-Muslims lived in that village too - who would decide and how whether those non-Muslims have their hearts inclined towards Islam?

What does it mean to have your heart inclined towards Islam?
To be friendly to your Muslims neighbors?
Or to be considering converting?
Or to not be actively against Islam?

Would hungry people who don't meet the criteria of having their heart inclined towards Islam (however that may be interpreted) actually be sent away hungry?

[جوري]

didn't you ask this question before? you specifically and someone did offer you quite the extensive details to differentiate sadaqa from zakat?

how much of your income does your religion require you to give to charity outside of the two pagan holidays that you subscribe to?

[glo]

didn't you ask this question before? you specifically and someone did offer you quite the extensive details to differentiate sadaqa from zakat?

If I have, then I do not recall. In fact, I don't think I had come across the term 'sadaqa' until ardianto mentioned it in his earlier post.
I posted the question back in January, and as I commented then, I had searched the topic and not found anything.
Hopefully this thread will clear things up for me though.

how much of your income does your religion require you to give to charity outside of the two pagan holidays that you subscribe to?

It doesn't seem right to enter into that conversation in the 'Learn about Islam' section.
If you are really interested, perhaps you could take it to the 'Comparative Religions' section.

[جوري]

If I have, then I do not recall. In fact, I don't think I had come across the term 'sadaqa' until ardianto mentioned it in his earlier post.
I posted the question back in January, and as I commented then, I had searched the topic and not found anything.
Hopefully this thread will clear things up for me though.

fascinating.. well I hope you save this one under favorites in case you forget again in the future!

It doesn't seem right to enter into that conversation in the 'Learn about Islam' section.
If you are really interested, perhaps you could take it to the 'Comparative Religions' section.

It really isn't a 'topic' all you need to do is show the verse with the percentage of your income going to charity yearly not as a random endeavor when fancy strikes.. do you have that in your bible?

[glo]

Thank you to all who have made helpful and informative contributions to this thread.

Any further constructive comments are very welcome.



Skye, if you are really interested in this topic, please start a thread in the CR section or PM me. There is certainly much the Bible says about charitable giving, but this is not the place to discuss it.
Regards.

[جوري]

Skye, if you are really interested in this topic, please start a thread in the CR section or PM me. There is certainly much the Bible says about charitable giving, but this is not the place to discuss it.
Regards.

Every book that claims divinity speaks of charity. I am asking you for verse on specific amount of your yearly income and possessions going to charity. It is a yes or No answer.. really not that difficult, I have no desire to PM you or start a topic with you, simply to see that it isn't a random act when you please but a religious obligation!

all the best!

[Ummu Sufyaan]

Skye, if you are really interested in this topic, please start a thread in the CR section or PM me. There is certainly much the Bible says about charitable giving, but this is not the place to discuss it.
Regards.

just answer her question and stop trying to dance around it.

[AhmadibnNasroon]

How would that work in practice?

If zakat was given, say, to an organisation which provides food and aid in a Muslim village, but some needy non-Muslims lived in that village too - who would decide and how whether those non-Muslims have their hearts inclined towards Islam?

What does it mean to have your heart inclined towards Islam?
To be friendly to your Muslims neighbors?
Or to be considering converting?
Or to not be actively against Islam?

Would hungry people who don't meet the criteria of having their heart inclined towards Islam (however that may be interpreted) actually be sent away hungry?

I would answer, but the students of hadeeth on Multaqa are more qualified than I...please visit here

http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/index.php

Also, you asked about the non-Muslims in a village who are needy; then this is what sadaqa is for and its permissible to give general sadaqah to the non-Muslims; zakat'ul mal and zaka'ul fitr are both for the Muslims

[glo]

I would answer, but the students of hadeeth on Multaqa are more qualified than I...please visit here

http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/index.php

Also, you asked about the non-Muslims in a village who are needy; then this is what sadaqa is for and its permissible to give general sadaqah to the non-Muslims; zakat'ul mal and zaka'ul fitr are both for the Muslims

Thank you.

Do I have to become a member to use the forum you gave the link for?

[AhmadibnNasroon]

Thank you.

Do I have to become a member to use the forum you gave the link for?

Yes, but it shouldn't be a problem