Zakat

"And perform salah and give zakat (alms for the poor), and whatever of good deeds you forward for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah sees what you do."
(Al-Baqarah 110)

The payment of zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. Almighty Allah is the Lord of all worlds and the real owner of all wealth. He is the One who has granted the poor the right to receive zakat.

The payment of zakat is an obligation for all Muslims who meet the following conditions:

• One must be mentally sane and of sound mind.
• One must be free (i.e., prison inmates, hostages, and captives are not required to pay zakat).
• One must have reached the age of maturity (baligh).
• One must be financially capable (wealthy).

The significance of zakat is demonstrated by the fact that Allah Almighty mentions it forty times in the Noble Qur’an. Every believer is therefore obliged to acknowledge that the payment of zakat is fard (obligatory). Whoever denies this obligation deviates from Islam (May Allah protect us from this!).

If a person does not deny zakat but fails to fulfill this duty completely, they will have committed a major sin.

Giving the fard zakat or alms in general purifies one’s wealth and brings further blessings. It ensures social justice, alleviates greed, and softens the hearts of people, making it a crucial step toward achieving spiritual freedom.

Definition of Financial Capability and Basic Needs

A Muslim is considered financially capable of paying zakat if they own a fortune equivalent to at least 80 grams of gold and have maintained this amount for a full lunar year.

At the end of each lunar year (calculated as 355 days), a person is required to donate one-fortieth (2.5%) of their assets to needy Muslims.

How Zakat is Given

"You will never attain piety until you spend of that which you love. And whatever you spend, Allah surely knows it."
(Ali ‘Imran 3:92)

The zakat due can be given directly from accumulated wealth (by withdrawing gold equal in worth to one-fortieth of one’s wealth) or by paying the equivalent amount in money.

Commitments for the Prosperous

The basic necessities owned by a Muslim that are not used for commercial purposes are exempt from zakat. These necessities include:

• Means of transportation (e.g., a car, bicycle, or scooter).
• Clothing and household appliances.
• Work utensils and tools.
• Books and educational materials.
• Food supply for oneself and one’s family for one year.

However, livestock, agricultural products, trade and production goods, natural resources, and regular income sources (such as rental income) are not part of these basic needs.

Thus, zakat must be given on these assets as soon as they exceed the value of 80 grams of gold, provided that this amount (or its monetary equivalent) remains in one’s possession for a full lunar year.

Note:

• This applicable wealth includes gold, money, trade goods, and other valuable assets equivalent to 80 grams of gold.
• The zakat obligation applies only to wealth beyond one’s basic needs.