Zakat
Zakat
One of the other important economical responsibilities of Muslims is the paying of Zakat. As for the importance of Zakat, it suffices to point out that in the Glorious Qur'an, after the mentioning of Salat, Zakat is mentioned. Paying Zakat is also counted as one of the signs of faith and righteous actions.
In countless hadith from Prophet and the Infallible Household of Prophet (peace be upon Them), it has been narrated that: “One who does not pay Zakat, is out of the religion of Islam.” Zakat, just like Khums, has its own specific instances. One part of Zakat is a tax on the body and life, that once a year, those people who have the ability to pay this tax (from the view point of property), it becomes Wajib on them on the day of ‘Eid ul – Fitr. The rules related to this type of Zakat were explained at the end of the section on Fasting.
The other division of Zakat is the Zakat on wealth, but this does not mean that it is necessary or includes all the property of a person – rather Zakat is only Wajib on nine things.
- Things that Zakat is Wajib to be paid on are the following:
Wheat, barley, dates, raisins, camels, cows, goats, gold and silver. - Zakat becomes Wajib in the event that the item that Zakat must be paid on reaches a certain quantity. These amounts have been given in the following table:
|
Type of Property |
Amount |
Amount of Zakat That must be Paid |
|
Wheat Barley Dates Raisins |
Approximately 885 kg |
1/10 in the event that the crops were irrigated with rain water and water from a river. 1/20 in the event that the crops were irrigated by hand watering, or by a jug, or by a water pump. 3/40 in the event that the crops were irrigated by both methods.
|
|
Camels |
5 camels Up to 25 camels 26 Camels |
One sheep One sheep for every 5 Camels One camel that has entered in its second year |
|
Cows |
30 cows |
1 calf that has just entered into its second year |
|
Sheep |
40 Sheep |
1 sheep |
|
Gold |
15 Mithqal |
1/40th |
|
Silver |
105 Mithqal |
1/40th |
A brief note:
Camels, cows and sheep also have other quantities (that Zakat becomes Wajib on), and for a complete listing of these rules, one can refer to the Tawdheeh Al – Masael, rules 1918 – 1932.