Pillars of Islam-Zakat

Zakat is one of the basic duties of Islam. It is one of the five pillars of islam. After Salat it is the most important part of Islam. It has been mentioned in Quran seventy times, just like Salat. It is mentioned by Allah in Quran several times as, “…and establish regular Salat and give regular Zakat…”. Just as Salat is most important worship performed bodily, Zakat is the most important worship performed financially. Muslims who fulfill the duty the duty of giving Zakat are promised endless rewards in this world and hereafter. In the same way those who refuse to follow instructions about Zakat, are warned about strict punishments by Quran and Muhammad (SAW).

As Zakat is duty of every Muslim so every Muslim gives zakat voluntarily. Zakat is for welfare purposes. Rich give zakat so it can be distributed among poor and equilibrium is maintained in Muslim society. It is one of the reasons that Islam spread peacefully in non-Muslim countries. The best example is of Spain, where zakat was taken from rich landowners and distributed among the poor and deprived majority of Spain. This resulted in the interest of the poor population of Spain in Islam and their majority converted to Islam. It was also the main reason for Persians convert to Islam. In Europe, Zakat was regarded as threat to their feudal economy, especially after Spain’s covert to Islam.

The ratio of Zakat is 2.5% of total wealth and is obligatory on every wealthy and rich Muslim. Zakat is applicable on every Muslim who has at least one of the following possessions

·         Gold or silver in any form equal to nisaab

·         Cash, Currency Notes, Bonds etc equal to nisaab

·         Merchandise of Business equal to nisaab

·         Live stock equal to nisaab

·         Income from other businesses equal to nisaab

Nisaab is the amount of wealth which makes one liable to Zakat. It is as follows as fixed by Muhammad (SAW)

·         Gold 7.50 Tolas = 87.48 gms

·         Silver 52.50 tolas = 612.36 gms

Zakat cannot be given to descendents of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one’s immediate family and Organizations or governments who would not distribute it among poor.