Zakat (زكاة) - Charity
Zakat (Arabic: زَكاة) is not just a donation or charity — it is a divinely mandated financial obligation and one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a sacred act of worship and a profound demonstration of solidarity, social justice, and compassion among Muslims.
Zakat has the power to purify wealth, uplift the poor, and strengthen the Muslim Ummah. It reminds believers that wealth is a trust from Allah and should be used to benefit all of society, not just the individual.
🕌 The Meaning of Zakat
The word “Zakat” comes from the Arabic root ز-ك-و (z-k-w), which means:
🌱 Purification
🌟 Growth
🌼 Blessing
Zakat purifies:
Your wealth by redistributing excess to those in need
Your soul from greed and selfishness
Your community from poverty and inequality
“خُذۡ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ صَدَقَةٗ تُطَهِّرُهُمۡ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٞ لَّهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ,”
“Khuz min amwaalihim sadaqatan tutahhiruhum wa tuzakkeehim bihaa wa salli ‘alaihim inna salaataka sakanul lahum; wallaahu Samee’un ‘Aleem”
Meaning- “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” — Surah At-Tawbah (9:103)
📖 Zakat in the Quran and Hadith
Zakat is mentioned over 30 times in the Qur’an — often paired with Salah (prayer), showing its vital role in Islam.
“And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:110)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever pays the Zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him.”
— Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah
🧭 Purpose of Zakat: Why Is It So Important?
Zakat is a means of purification, not just for the giver, but for society. It aims to:
🌾 Eliminate poverty and hunger
🫶 Support the weak and vulnerable
🤝 Build a sense of unity and brotherhood
🔁 Circulate wealth fairly throughout society
💖 Develop empathy and selflessness
🛡️ Protect the heart from greed and materialism
🧮 Who Must Pay Zakat?
Zakat is fard (obligatory) on every Muslim who meets these conditions:
🧔♂️ Adult
🧠 Sane
💰 Owns wealth exceeding the Nisab
📅 Has held that wealth for one full lunar year
📏 What is Nisab?
Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must have before Zakat becomes obligatory. It is calculated based on the value of either:
🟡 Gold: 87.48 grams
⚪ Silver: 612.36 grams
Due to its lower value, silver is often used today to maximize benefit to the poor.
You must calculate your total wealth, compare it to the Nisab, and if you exceed it, you pay 2.5% in Zakat.
💼 What Wealth is Zakat Payable On?
Zakat is applicable to various types of assets, including:
| Asset Type | Zakat Applicable? |
|---|---|
| 💵 Cash (home or bank) | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Gold & silver | ✅ Yes |
| 📦 Business inventory | ✅ Yes |
| 📈 Stocks & investments | ✅ Yes |
| 🐄 Livestock (above nisab) | ✅ Yes |
| 🏠 Personal home | ❌ No |
| 🚗 Personal car | ❌ No |
| 📿 Jewelry (gold/silver) | ✅ Yes (scholars vary slightly) |
🧾 How to Calculate Zakat (Simple Example)
Let’s say you own:
Savings: $4,000
Gold: $2,500
Stocks: $3,500
Total Zakatable Wealth: $10,000
Zakat Due = 2.5% of $10,000 = $250
This amount should be given directly to eligible recipients or through a trusted Islamic charity.
Note: If calculating zakat based on gold, the nisab is 87.85 grams. For example, if 1 gram of gold costs €91, the nisab is €7,995. If your assets exceed this amount, zakat is due. You can also calculate using silver instead of gold.
🧕 Who Can Receive Zakat?
Zakat must be given to one or more of the eight categories described in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60):
Fuqara (Poor) — No income or minimal income
Masakin (Needy) — Barely meeting basic needs
Amil (Zakat workers) — Those employed to collect/distribute Zakat
Mu’allaf (New Muslims) — To strengthen their hearts
Riqab (Slaves) — To free those in bondage
Gharimin (Debtors) — Unable to pay off halal debts
Fi Sabilillah (In the cause of Allah) — Islamic education, da’wah, etc.
Ibn Sabil (Stranded travelers) — Away from home and out of funds
📌 Note: You cannot give Zakat to:
Parents, grandparents, children, or spouse
Wealthy or non-Muslims (though Sadaqah can be given to anyone)
