Zakāh (Arabic: زكاة IPA: [zækæːh], sometimes "Zakāt"[1]) or "alms giving", one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the giving of a small percentage of one's possessions (surplus wealth) to charity generally to poor and needy Muslims individual. It is often compared to the system of tithing and alms, but it serves principally as the welfare contribution to poor and deprived Muslims, although others may have a rightful share. It is the duty of an Islamic community not just to collect zakat but to distribute it fairly as well.
Muslims fulfill this religious obligation by giving a fixed percentage of their surplus wealth. Zakat has been paired with such a high sense of righteousness that it is often placed on the same level of importance as offering Salat.[2] Muslims see this process also as a way of purifying themselves from their greed and selfishness and also safeguarding future business.[3] In addition, Zakat purifies the person who receives it because it saves him from the humiliation of begging and prevents him from envying the rich.[4] Because it holds such a high level of importance the "punishment" for not paying when able is very severe. In the 2nd edition of the Encyclopaedia of Islam it states, "...the prayers of those who do not pay zakat will not be accepted".[5]
| Five Pillars (Sunni) | |
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Shahādah - Profession of faith Ṣalāt - Prayers Zakāh - Paying of alms (giving to the poor) Ṣawm - Fasting during Ramadan Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca |
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| Six articles of belief (Sunni) | |
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Tawhīd - Oneness Prophets and Messengers in Islam Islamic holy books Angels The Last Judgment Predestination |
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| Principles of the Religion (Twelver) | |
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Tawhīd - Oneness ‘Adalah - Justice Nubuwwah - Prophethood Imāmah - Leadership Qiyamah - Day of Judgement |
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| Practices of the Religion (Twelver) | |
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Ṣalāt - Prayers Ṣawm - Fasting during Ramadan Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca Zakāh - Tithes Khums - One-fifth tax Jihad - Struggle Commanding what is just Forbidding what is evil Tawallā' - Loving the Ahl al-Bayt Tabarrá - Disassociating Ahl al-Bayt's enemies |
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| Seven Pillars (Ismaili) | |
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Walāyah - Guardianship Ṭawhid - Oneness of God Ṣalāt - Prayers Zakāh - Purifying religious dues Ṣawm - Fasting during Ramadan Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca Jihad - Struggle |
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| Others | |
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There are two categories of charities in Islam - obligatory and voluntary
obligatory
- Almsgiving on possessions Zakah
- Almsgiving on self head tax Sadaqatul fitr
- Almsginvg on produce on land 'Ushr land tax
- Almsgiving on animal
Voluntary
- Donation to build Mosques and Schools
- Helping Non-Muslim
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New Straits Times, Malaysia
For example, zakat fitrah is a rebate against tax charged. "A tax deduction or a tax relief where you reduce the taxable income, that is, you deduct the amount from the income before taxing it. "Up to 2007, the purchase of a computer was considered a ...
Grant Montgomery
hu, 20 Aug 2009 20:04:00 GM
It was good news indeed for Muslim donors, when during President Obama's address to the Muslim world in June, he pledged that the government would take IRS and anti-terrorism measures to make it easier to clear . zakat. hurdles. ...
