Islamic Studies CoursesIslamic Studies CoursesIn Chabot, Ohlone, Mission, In Chabot, Ohlone, Mission,

and De Anza Collegesand De Anza CollegesThird Pillar of Islam: ZakahThird Pillar of Islam: Zakah

Designed and taught Designed and taught

ByBy

Hafiz M. K. Siddiqi, Ph.D.Hafiz M. K. Siddiqi, Ph.D.

Once a believer submits his will to the will of Allah (God) Once a believer submits his will to the will of Allah (God)

by achieving peace within himself, with God, and with the by achieving peace within himself, with God, and with the

creations of God, he declares his faith in Him and His creations of God, he declares his faith in Him and His

message to be the right guidance for his life. Now he is message to be the right guidance for his life. Now he is

ready to act according to his belief system. The most ready to act according to his belief system. The most

important next act is, Salah: five daily Prayers, as we important next act is, Salah: five daily Prayers, as we

mentioned in our last lecture. The Salah is an institution mentioned in our last lecture. The Salah is an institution

which must be Established in his life. The next most which must be Established in his life. The next most

important duty of a believer is to establish social justice important duty of a believer is to establish social justice

in his community by paying Zakah: a small amount of in his community by paying Zakah: a small amount of

money to those who are less fortunate than him.money to those who are less fortunate than him.

Salah and ZakahSalah and ZakahThese two pillars of Islam represent the real essence of These two pillars of Islam represent the real essence of

Islam: two fold connection, with God and with His Islam: two fold connection, with God and with His

creation, on top of whom are the humankind. Salah: creation, on top of whom are the humankind. Salah:

spiritually connects a believer to Allah and His spiritually connects a believer to Allah and His

Creations through the most important physical struggle. Creations through the most important physical struggle.

Zakah: Connects a believer spiritually with Allah and Zakah: Connects a believer spiritually with Allah and

His creation through financial help of Allah’s creations, His creation through financial help of Allah’s creations,

sincerely for His pleasures sake. That is why Salah and sincerely for His pleasures sake. That is why Salah and

Zakah come together in many verses of the Qur’an. See: Zakah come together in many verses of the Qur’an. See:

2/43, 83, 177, 277, 73/20, 41/6-7, 5/12,55, 19/31,55, 2/43, 83, 177, 277, 73/20, 41/6-7, 5/12,55, 19/31,55,

The Fruits of ZakahThe Fruits of ZakahZakah was obligatory upon all previous prophets and Zakah was obligatory upon all previous prophets and

their followers as it is on Muslims, simply because it their followers as it is on Muslims, simply because it

results in: A. Purifying the society from stinginess, results in: A. Purifying the society from stinginess,

greed, ill feeling, narrow mindedness, selfishness, greed, ill feeling, narrow mindedness, selfishness,

enmity, jealousy, and exploitation. B. Inculcating love, enmity, jealousy, and exploitation. B. Inculcating love,

preference of poor people’s needs, sincerity, willingness preference of poor people’s needs, sincerity, willingness

to help and rescue, cooperation in good causes, and to help and rescue, cooperation in good causes, and

more than any other thing, sacrifice with your hard more than any other thing, sacrifice with your hard

earned money which you love and need very much, for earned money which you love and need very much, for

a greater love, love of God. See: 2/177a greater love, love of God. See: 2/177

Zakah: means: purification and increment. It does Zakah: means: purification and increment. It does

increase your wealth, and purifies you from greed increase your wealth, and purifies you from greed

and stinginess. Allah swt says: “Say if you had and stinginess. Allah swt says: “Say if you had

control over the treasures of the mercy of my Lord, control over the treasures of the mercy of my Lord,

behold, you would keep them back, for fear of behold, you would keep them back, for fear of

spending them: for man is (ever) niggardly” 17/100spending them: for man is (ever) niggardly” 17/100

The term meaning of Zakah is: to pay 2.5% of your The term meaning of Zakah is: to pay 2.5% of your

Wealth to poor and needy……………………9/60Wealth to poor and needy……………………9/60

It is appointed by God as a right of a poor…51/19It is appointed by God as a right of a poor…51/19

““Of their wealth take alms, so that you may purify Of their wealth take alms, so that you may purify

and sanctify them, and pray on their behalf. Verily and sanctify them, and pray on their behalf. Verily

your prayers are a source of security for them, and your prayers are a source of security for them, and

Allah is One who hears And knows. 9/103 Allah is One who hears And knows. 9/103

Zakah is one of the most important five duties of Zakah is one of the most important five duties of

Islam, non-payment of Zakah on part of rich and Islam, non-payment of Zakah on part of rich and

wealthy may join them with polytheists: ”Say: I am wealthy may join them with polytheists: ”Say: I am

but a man like you, it is revealed to me by but a man like you, it is revealed to me by

inspiration, that your God is One God: so stand true inspiration, that your God is One God: so stand true

to Him and ask for His forgiveness.to Him and ask for His forgiveness.

And woe to those who assign partners to God, those And woe to those who assign partners to God, those who do not pay regular Zakah (poor-due) and who who do not pay regular Zakah (poor-due) and who even deny the hereafter”. 41/6-7even deny the hereafter”. 41/6-7““O’ you who believe! There are indeed among the O’ you who believe! There are indeed among the priests and anchorites, who in falsehood devour the priests and anchorites, who in falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a most grievous penalty. On the day when heat them a most grievous penalty. On the day when heat will be produced out of that (Wealth) in the fire ofwill be produced out of that (Wealth) in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads,

their flanks, and their backs. This is the treasure their flanks, and their backs. This is the treasure

which you buried for Yourselves: taste you then which you buried for Yourselves: taste you then

your hoarded treasures” 9/34-35. There are two your hoarded treasures” 9/34-35. There are two

kinds of charities: 1. General and 2. Specific. kinds of charities: 1. General and 2. Specific.

General charities include the whole of the General charities include the whole of the

humankind. It is the right of a human being to be humankind. It is the right of a human being to be

helped when help is needed. The Specific charities helped when help is needed. The Specific charities

such as Zakah, is a religious due, collected from such as Zakah, is a religious due, collected from

the rich Muslims and paid to poor Muslims. the rich Muslims and paid to poor Muslims.

Nisab: A particular amount of: 1. Gold: 87.5 grams/Nisab: A particular amount of: 1. Gold: 87.5 grams/

3.086 OZ/2.8125 Troy OZ, 2. Silver: 613.35 grams 3.086 OZ/2.8125 Troy OZ, 2. Silver: 613.35 grams

21.635 OZ or 19.6875 Troy OZ, 3. $350 Cash,21.635 OZ or 19.6875 Troy OZ, 3. $350 Cash,

possessed for 354 days. Zakah is obligatory on every possessed for 354 days. Zakah is obligatory on every

Muslim male and female who owns Nisab, once Muslim male and female who owns Nisab, once

every lunar calendar year. every lunar calendar year.

Rate of Zakah: 2.5% of total financial worth.Rate of Zakah: 2.5% of total financial worth.

Tamleek: You must make the receiver, owner of Tamleek: You must make the receiver, owner of

Zakah. You are not allowed to decide on behalf Zakah. You are not allowed to decide on behalf

of the poor and needy person. of the poor and needy person.

One of the aspects of Tawheed is: One universal One of the aspects of Tawheed is: One universal

humanity which may be divided into three sets ofhumanity which may be divided into three sets of

Relationships based on: 1. Humanity 2. Faith and Relationships based on: 1. Humanity 2. Faith and

3. Blood. They are according to the Islamic priority 3. Blood. They are according to the Islamic priority

System “Al-Aqrab Fal-Aqrab” the nearest deserves System “Al-Aqrab Fal-Aqrab” the nearest deserves

First, then next nearest, then next…….First, then next nearest, then next…….

This logic is universal: we first fulfill our financial This logic is universal: we first fulfill our financial

Duties to our families and then towards others. We Duties to our families and then towards others. We

should also bear in mind that in each set, a woman should also bear in mind that in each set, a woman

will be considered before a man, because a man is will be considered before a man, because a man is

given total financial responsibility. given total financial responsibility.

Zakah can not be given to: 1. Usul: Parents, grand Zakah can not be given to: 1. Usul: Parents, grand

parents, great grand parents from both sides. 2. parents, great grand parents from both sides. 2. Furu’ Furu’

Children, grand children, great grand children from Children, grand children, great grand children from

both sides. Both # 1 & 2 are a persons responsibility. both sides. Both # 1 & 2 are a persons responsibility.

This includes non-Muslim parents and children.This includes non-Muslim parents and children.

3. Prophets, their families, and direct descendants. 3. Prophets, their families, and direct descendants.

They are the responsibility of state or community.They are the responsibility of state or community.

A person who owns Nisab is considered rich, or A person who owns Nisab is considered rich, or

Zakah paying individual, and a person who does not Zakah paying individual, and a person who does not

own Nisab is poor, and can receive Zakah. own Nisab is poor, and can receive Zakah.

Zakah was obligatory on previous people: “ And Zakah was obligatory on previous people: “ And

remember we took a covenant from the children remember we took a covenant from the children

of Israel, you shall worship none but Allah, and do of Israel, you shall worship none but Allah, and do

good to (your) parents and kindred and orphans and good to (your) parents and kindred and orphans and

those in need, speak kindly to the people, and those in need, speak kindly to the people, and

establish regular Salah, and practice regular Zakah, establish regular Salah, and practice regular Zakah,

Then did you turn back except a few among you Then did you turn back except a few among you

And you backslide (even now). 2/83, please refer And you backslide (even now). 2/83, please refer

to: 5/12, 21/73, 19/31, 55to: 5/12, 21/73, 19/31, 55,,

Zakah is given to: 1. Fuqaraa’ (poor or beggars) Zakah is given to: 1. Fuqaraa’ (poor or beggars) 2. Masakeen (Needy) 3. Aamileen (Collectors of 2. Masakeen (Needy) 3. Aamileen (Collectors of Zakah) 4. Al-Mu’allafati Qulubuhum (Those whose Zakah) 4. Al-Mu’allafati Qulubuhum (Those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to the truth) 5. ArRiqab hearts have been recently reconciled to the truth) 5. ArRiqab

(Those in bondage) 6. Al-Gharimeen (Those in debts) 7. Fi (Those in bondage) 6. Al-Gharimeen (Those in debts) 7. Fi Sabil Allah (In the cause of God) 8. Ibnus Sabil (The Sabil Allah (In the cause of God) 8. Ibnus Sabil (The wayfarer. 9/60wayfarer. 9/60Zakah can not be used to build or maintain: 1. Mosques, Zakah can not be used to build or maintain: 1. Mosques, Schools, institutions….etc. Schools, institutions….etc. One person’s Zakah can be distributed among many needy One person’s Zakah can be distributed among many needy People, and many people’s Zakah can be given to one People, and many people’s Zakah can be given to one Person. Zakah is not valid without intention prior to the Person. Zakah is not valid without intention prior to the payment.payment.

Multiple RewardsMultiple Rewards

Those who pay regular Zakah, will be Those who pay regular Zakah, will be rewarded 700 times. 2/261-269, 30/39, 34/39rewarded 700 times. 2/261-269, 30/39, 34/39

2/74, 57/182/74, 57/18 Prophet prayed for the person who gives Prophet prayed for the person who gives

wealth in charities, and asked Allah to wealth in charities, and asked Allah to withhold wealth from the person who does not.withhold wealth from the person who does not.

Prophet pbuh said: Charities undo the anger of Prophet pbuh said: Charities undo the anger of God.God.

There is no Zakah on your house, furniture, cars, There is no Zakah on your house, furniture, cars, valuable decorations etc.valuable decorations etc.

There is no Zakah on diamond or any precious There is no Zakah on diamond or any precious stones of any value.stones of any value.

You may pay your Zakah to poor siblings, You may pay your Zakah to poor siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, relatives, and friends.cousins, uncles, aunts, relatives, and friends.

It is greater in reward to first look for the poor It is greater in reward to first look for the poor people among the family and relatives and pay to people among the family and relatives and pay to them because all charities must begin at home.them because all charities must begin at home.

If you pay your Zakah to eligible siblings or If you pay your Zakah to eligible siblings or relatives, you may pay it as a gift to respect their relatives, you may pay it as a gift to respect their dignity and feelings. dignity and feelings.

In the wealth of a person there are other charities In the wealth of a person there are other charities in addition to Zakah, according to Islam, and they in addition to Zakah, according to Islam, and they include: 1. Helping people who are hit by a include: 1. Helping people who are hit by a natural disaster 2. Helping siblings in humanity natural disaster 2. Helping siblings in humanity who are poor and in need of help 3. Paying who are poor and in need of help 3. Paying donations in multiple causes of Allah/God donations in multiple causes of Allah/God according to your capacity: Mosques, schools, according to your capacity: Mosques, schools, institutions, disabled children etc.institutions, disabled children etc.

The best form of charity is to look for a person The best form of charity is to look for a person who will remain hungry, needy, and distressed, who will remain hungry, needy, and distressed, and will never ask for help because of self dignity and will never ask for help because of self dignity as mentioned in 51/19.as mentioned in 51/19.

There is no Zakah on professional tools, machines, There is no Zakah on professional tools, machines,

Office and factory buildings, dairy Farm’s animals, Office and factory buildings, dairy Farm’s animals,

However, there is Zakah on products of above However, there is Zakah on products of above

mentioned things.mentioned things.

Zakatul-Fitr: the especial Zakah paid during or at Zakatul-Fitr: the especial Zakah paid during or at

the end of Ramadan to include the poor people in the end of Ramadan to include the poor people in

the happiness of Feast of Breaking Fast: it is $5 or the happiness of Feast of Breaking Fast: it is $5 or

$10 per person in each family on behalf of all old $10 per person in each family on behalf of all old

And young, even on behalf of a baby born on Feast And young, even on behalf of a baby born on Feast

Day. Day.

Story of Tha’labah ibn Hatib Al-Ansari: 9/75-78Story of Tha’labah ibn Hatib Al-Ansari: 9/75-78 Questions about investments, interest free Questions about investments, interest free

Banking, pension funds, purchasing houses, Banking, pension funds, purchasing houses, businesses, rental properties etcbusinesses, rental properties etc

Questions about the people who have gold, silver, Questions about the people who have gold, silver, properties, land etc; but do not have cash money, properties, land etc; but do not have cash money, can they be eligible to receive zakah.can they be eligible to receive zakah.

Questions about the difference between Tax and Questions about the difference between Tax and Zakah.Zakah.

Any other questions.Any other questions.