Zakaat

Zakaat is mandated on Muslims who have the required amount of wealth. There are conditions to where and when one must pay Zakaat. Zakaat purifies people ’s wealth and cleanses the individual s’ sins and helps them overcome their greed, inclination toward exploitation, selfishness, envy, hatred, animosity, and many other social ills. It helps to elevate and purify the individual by allowing him/her to do good and believe in the welfare of humanity. For this reason, Allah (swt) commands Muslims to help those who have not. “And those in whose wealth is a recognized right” (Al Ma’arege 24-25)

Zakaat is mandatory on five types of goods :

1. gold and silver

2. commercial goods

3. agricultural products

4. live-stock

5. mining and minerals *housing, clothing, furniture, items used for personal communication are exempt from Zakaat unless they are used for commerce

Conditions of Zakaat:

1. The individual must have the wealth in his possession and he must have the choice to give it

2. It has to reach the required amount that is twenty Dinar in Gold or its equivalent. In each twenty Dinar a person must take out half Dinar. The required amount in silver is five owgiah (a weight measure): that is one hundred Dirham. In each two hundred Dirham five Dirham. A person should inquire about the value of gold and silver at the time he/she supposed to pay zakkat to know the amount he/she is required to pay.

3. It has to complete one full year; and the amount must exceed the cost of living expenses for the individual and his dependants