Zakat The Prescribed Charity

Zakat The Prescribed Charity Society should be so ordered that the fortunately placed in life come to the assistance of their less fortunate brothers, in the knowledge that they will ultimately be rewarded by God. Believers nave the assurance of God that if they give to others, whatever they give will be returned to them many times over in the next world; their trust in God’s promise is complete. In a society ordered in this way, feelings of antagonism and indifference are not allowed to develop: people are not bent on exploiting one another. There is never an atmosphere of mutual resentment and dissatisfaction, for everyone lives in peace with his neighbour. Such a society, in short, is a haven of contentment and well-being. In its external form then, Zakat is an annual tax. But in essence, it is the principle on which God and his creatures have a right to a share in one’s property. The Ramadan Charity Zakat al-Fitr is specifically related to the month of fasting and is given before the special Id prayer. The reason for this Zakat is two-fold. Ibn ‘Abbas reported: The Prophet made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory for the fasting person to keep him from idle talk and indecent conversation and to provide food for the needy. Discharging the duty before the prayer is an accepted Zakat while discharging it after the prayer is just a sadqah. Zakat al-Fitr perfects the fast of Ramadan and purifies the fast of any indecent act or speech. It is obligatory on all Muslims: young, old, male and female. Every Muslim who possesses over and above what is needed as basic food for the duration of one day and night must pay Zakat al-Fitr, approximately 3 kg of dates or barley or wheat or its equivalent value in money. It is preferable to give foodstuffs. It is usually the head of the household who collects the Zakat al-Fitr for himself and his dependants and distributes it. It is used to help the poor and needy. The earlier it is given the easier it is for them to make arrangements, so that they may also take part in the celebrations of Id without any difficulties. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Zakat al-Fitr perfects the fast of Ramadan and purifies the fast of any indecent act or speech. 4 www.cpsglobal.org www.alquranmission.org www.goodwordbooks.com Goodword Books 1, Nizamuddin West Market New Delhi-110 013 Tel. +9111-4182-7083, Mob. +91-8588822672 info@goodwordbooks.com Goodword Books, Chennai 82/324, Triplicane High Road, Triplicane Chennai 600005 Mob. +91-9790853944 Center for Peace and Spirituality USA 2665 Byberry Road Bensalem, PA 19020 Cell: (617) 960-7156 cps@alrisala.org Center for Peace and Spirituality 1, Nizamuddin West Market New Delhi-110 013 info@cpsglobal.org