ZAKAT (ALMS)

ZAKAT (ALMS) AS A COMMAND IN ISLAM

Q.   What do we mean by Zakat (alms)?

  Zakat is the name given in Islam to that portion of money or wealth which, as per Al-lah’s command, is given to the poor and the needy so that they become the owners of it. In other words, fasting and prayers are forms of bodily worship while Zakat is a form of worship which is pecuniary in nature.

Q.   Is the giving of alms a commanded (Fard) or an ordained (Wajib) act?

  Giving alms is a commanded act. The commanded nature of Zakat is evident from the verses of the Qur-an as well as from the sayings (Hadith) of the holy Prophet (peace be on him). Anyone denying the commanded nature of Zakat is an unbeliever.

Q.   Under what conditions does ‘alms-giving’ become a command for a person?

  ‘Alms giving’ is a command for a person who combines in himself the following conditions:

             i.     He is a Muslim;

           ii.     He is a free person;

         iii.     He is a major;

          iv.     He is the owner of Nisab (the minimum required capital free from all encumbrances and needs);

            v.     One full year has passed since he came to exclusively possess the above said capital.

Zakat will become a command and an obligation if all the above conditions combine in a person. Naturally, therefore, an unbeliever, a slave, a lunatic or a minor are not duty bound to pay Zakat.

Similarly, if a person has less capital with him than the minimum prescribed for Nisab or he is under debt or else one full year has not elapsed since he came to possess so much wealth, Zakat is not a command for him.

ALMS-WORTHY CAPITAL AND ALMS (ZAKAT)

Q.   Which capital is liable for alms to be given out of it?

  Zakat must be given out of silver, gold and all kinds of merchandise.

Q.   Does the terms silver and gold apply only to their coins or to anything and everything made thereof?

  All the things made of gold and silver are alms-worthy whether they are guineas, coins, ornaments, ware and the articles of embroidery.

Q.   Are gems (precious stones) liable for alms?

  Alms must be paid for gems in ones possession if it is meant for merchandise. If it is not for trade, no alms is commanded to be given out of it, irrespective of its value. Similarly, if a person has utensil of copper or some other metal worth than the minimum amount prescribed for charitable capital or he has shop or a house worth more than this limit for which rent is also received by him or else has goods other than gold or silver, but none of these things are traded by him, Zakat will not be a command for him.

Q.   What is the law in Shariah about a person who has government almsworthy notes?

  He is commanded to pay Zakat for them.

Q.   If a person has only a little quantity of silver and a little of gold so that neither of them constitutes the prescribed charitable capital singly, is he still commanded to pay Zakat for it?

  In such a situation, gold should first be valued in terms of silver or silver in terms of gold to see whether the value of the two put together becomes of the order fixed for Nisab (almsworthy capital). If the value is not less than the prescribed limit discussed above, Zakat must be paid, otherwise it is not necessary.

Q.   Is Zakat commanded for a person who has merely a certain quantity of gold (whether it is equivalent in value to the minimum quantity of silver prescribed for Nisab or more) and no silver in any form (coins, ornaments, etc.)?

  Zakat is not obligatory on him.

Q.   What do we mean by the term “merchandise”?

  Anything meant for sale and profit making whether food grain, sugar, footwear, grocery etc., comes under the definition of “merchandise”.

Q.   What do we mean by Nisab (almsworthy capital)?

  The Shariah has prescribed certain minimum quantities for the items of wealth out of which Zakat must be paid. The moment one comes to possess such quantities of these articles; Zakat becomes a command for him. This quantity is known as Nisab (almsworthy capital).

Q.   What is the prescribed minimum almsworthy capital for silver?

  The minimum almsworthy capital for silver is about 606 grams.

Q.   How much Zakat should be paid for 606 grams of silver?

  Zakat must be paid at the rate of 1/40^th of silver. As such the quantity to be paid out of it comes to a little over 15 grams.

Q.   What quantity of gold is the minimum almsworthy capital?

  The minimum prescribed almsworthy quantity for gold is about 89 grams and the amount of Zakat out of it calculates to about 2.22 grams.

Q.   What is the minimum amount of almsworthy capital in case of merchandise?

  Value the merchandise in terms of gold or silver. Then considering the minimum limit prescribed for either of them, calculate the Zakat on it.