Zakāt (classical Arabic: زكوة; modern
Arabic: زكاة; Turkish: Zekāt; also transliterated zakaat or
zakah; "to grow" (in goodness), "increase," "purifying," "making
pure") is the Islamic concept of tithing and alms. It is the
third of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to spending a
fixed portion of one's wealth for the poor or needy, including
people whose hearts need to be reconciled, slaves, those in
"debt," those in the way of God, and the travelers in the
society.
The basis of zakat is given in the Qur'an: "Of their goods take
alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray
on their behalf, verily thy prayers are a source of security for
them." (9:103)
A Muslim may also donate an additional amount as an act of
voluntary charity (sadaqah), in order to achieve additional
divine reward.
There are two main types of zakāt:
Zakāt on traffic
(zakāt-ul-fitr) is a per head payment equivalent to cost of
around 2.25 kilograms of the main food of the region (this may
be wheat, dates or rice, depending on the place) paid during the
month of Ramadan by the head of a family for himself and his
dependents to the zakāt collector (amil). (Right now in the U.S.
the zakat on traffic is $7.50)
Zakāt on wealth (zakāt-ul-mal) comprises all other types of
zakāt, such as on business, on savings, on income, on crops, on
livestock, on gold, on minerals, on hidden treasures unearthed,
etc.
The payment of zakāt is obligatory on all Muslims. In current
usage it is interpreted as a 2.5% levy on most valuables and
savings held for a full lunar year, if the total value is more
than a basic minimum known as nisab (3 ounces or 87.48g of
gold). At present (as of 5 October 2006), nisab is approximately
US $1,725 or an equivalent amount in any other currency [1].
Zakāt is distributed among 8 categories of people:
- Faqir - One who has neither material possessions nor
means of livelihood.
- Miskin - One with insufficient means of livelihood to
meet basic needs.
- Amil - Workers associated with the collection and
distribution of Zakat.
- Muallafathul Quloob - One who converts to Islam.
Literally those whose hearts are softened.
- Riqab - One who wants to free himself from bondage or
the shackles of slavery.
- Gharmin - One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet
basic, halal expenditure).
- Fisabillillah - Literal meaning 'In the way of God',
but it is used for Jihad.
- Ibnus Sabil - One who is stranded in journey.
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