Zakat is an Arabic word which more or less means the Poor due.  A Muslim who is able to give of his money and belongings every year will give it to help the poor and those who are in need.

•  Zakat is not a form of tax.

•  Zakat is not a form of charity.

•  Zakat is a duty on every able Muslim.

A Muslim has to give to the poor and the needy to purify his earnings and at the same time to help them.  He may give it in two ways:

a.  Directly

b.  Through some kind of authority when this authority is available.

    Every able Muslim should give of his earnings every year  (Ja'fari pay Zakat on crops, animals, and Metals.), since the Zakat is the third act of worship in Islam.  We give of our earnings to purify ourselves and to purify our earnings.  Zakat will help the needy people and when carried out by every able person the whole community will greatly benefit.

HOW DOES ZAKAT HELP?  

    When many able people give of their earnings and or produce every year, the money and goods will go to help the poor.  This means that the rich and able will have a little less of their earnings but that will not hurt them.  When the money or produce go to the poor and those who really need it, it will help them live better.  They will be economically better off since they will be able to eat, dress, and house themselves better.

    The amount of Zakat is small and when it is given it will not hurt those who give it.  But this small amount will help the poor substantially because it can enable them to buy the food they need, the clothes they put on, and it will make it easier for them to live.

HOW WILL THIS HELP THE COMMUNITY?

    When poor people get extra money they will be better able to afford what they need.  This may stop them from having to beg, it may even stop them from having to steal the food or whatever they need so badly, thus enabling them to keep Allah's laws.  It will make life easier for them so that they will not have to worry about how to attain the necessities of life.  To be poor is something very difficult to live with especially if a person cannot even eat well.  A very hungry person who cannot buy food or clothes may be forced to steal or do something bad.

    But if such a person can have the extra money, he will complain less and he will be more satisfied.  He and his family will be able to buy rather than steal, and to sleep with a full stomach rather than an empty one.

THEN ZAKAT IS A HUMANE DUTY?  

    Zakat is an act of worship as well as our moral duty.  Zakat is not a charity, when we give of our earnings, we are not doing a favor to the poor people who receive it.  It is actually an honor to give to them since it is a way in which we purify our gains every year.  Every able Muslim has this duty on his shoulders as decreed in Islam.

    We have to give every year if we can afford it.  We pay a certain amount of the earnings according to certain set guidelines, if the earnings qualify, whether these earnings are produce or otherwise.

    In Islam we are encouraged to live modestly.  This means that we should not waste at all, and that we should not live too luxuriously.  When a good Muslim lives this way he may have some earnings left at the end of the year.  These remaining earnings will have to be purified.  This is done simply by giving the portion of Zakat as Islam orders it.

    Zakat purifies our wealth, it will give us a feeling of goodness inside, a feeling of doing good and being of help.  It makes us feel that all things belong to Allah, and what we have by the grace of Allah should be used in a way to help others.

WHAT IS SUBJECT TO ZAKAT?  

    The following three categories are subject to Zakat as an obligatory manner.  The details of the percentages to be paid are not included, but anyone responsible for paying Zakat should consult the detailed writings about the subject:

    The following categories are subject to Zakat but not in an obligatory manner, however, it is Mus'tahab (preferable) that Zakat is expended.

IS ZAKAT AN ACT OF WORSHIP?  

    Zakat is the third act of worship.  As mentioned, Zakat is a way of worship, and it purifies our earnings.

1. Zakat will teach us the beautiful sense of giving.

2. Zakat will help us learn about the feeling of sharing with people who are not as fortunate as we are.

3. Zakat will encourage us to be less selfish and greedy.

4. Zakat helps us learn that wealth is a gift from Allah Almighty, and that we should share it with the needy.  It is a noble thing to do.

The poor will feel good in receiving it, especially if they know that the money is not charity.  It is their right to receive it.  Zakat will make everyone feel good inside.

WHO RECEIVES THE ZAKAT?  

    Money forming Zakat goes to many people in special unfortunate situations.  It goes to:

1. The poor,

2. The needy,

3. The destitute,

4. Those in bondage,

5. The cause of Allah, and

6. Some other special worthy purposes.

WHEN SHOULD WE START GIVING?

    Zakat is to start when the male is 15 years old and the female is 9 years old if they have the means; otherwise we give the Zakat when we become old enough to work for ourselves and have earnings that are eligible for the Zakat.

CAN WE HELP IN OTHER WAYS?  

    Certainly we can and Islam encourages us to do so.  We can be charitable.  If we are good to our friends, then we will have done an act of charity.  If we are good to our mother and father, brothers and sisters, then we are doing an act of charity.  If we are kind, sweet, and considerate to others, then we will have done a good act of charity.

    All these acts are acts of goodness, and Islam always encourages us to be very good.

•  Being good in school, being a good Muslim, being a lady or a gentleman, are also acts of charity.

•  Helping someone who is in trouble, or giving of our time and talents to a worthwhile project are also acts of charity.

•  Not talking behind someone's back and not hurting others are acts of charity.

•  There are many, many more examples.  Anything for the good of society is an act of charity.

All these acts of charity are certainly acts of worship.  And when we do all these things, we should not brag about them.

WHY NOT?

    When we do acts of charity, or when we give the Zakat, it is not good to brag about it.  It is in poor taste and bad manners.

    Neither should we ever use our Zakat to gain some favors and influence.  We should not remind others of what we are doing, so that we don't hurt their feelings.  Zakat is given exclusively for the sake of Allah.

    We are fulfilling our Zakat and we are charitable because it is an Islamic duty on our shoulders.  As Muslims we are honored to be able to do good and prevent evil.

    When we give Zakat we don't ask for any favors in return, nor should we expect any gains, except with the Almighty.

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