Zakat
is
important
pillar
of
Islam.
The
translation
of
Arabic
word
Zakat is
'purification'
and
'growth'.
We
purify
our
possessions
by
paying Zakat
and we
are
blessed
with
growth
due to
Zakat.
Zakat
is
calculated
amount
of money
which a
muslim
is
required
to pay
to
certain
deserving
group of
people.
The
group of
people
who are
eligible
for
receiving
Zakat
are
mentioned
in
surah
at-Taubah
(9)
verse
60: "
The alms
are only
for the
poor and
the
needy,
and
those
who
collect
them,
and
those
whose
hearts
are to
be
reconciled,
and to
free the
captives
and the
debtors,
and for
the
cause of
Allah,
and
(for)
the
wayfarers;
a duty
imposed
by
Allah.
Allah is
knower,
Wise."
(The
Holy
Qur'an
9:60).
Allah
says in
Surah
at-Taubah
verses
34-35:
"34:O ye
who
believe!
there
are
indeed
many
among
the
priests
and
anchorites,
who in
Falsehood
devour
the
substance
of men
and
hinder
(them)
from the
way of
Allah.
And
there
are
those
who bury
gold and
silver
and
spend it
not in
the way
of
Allah.
announce
unto
them a
most
grievous
penalty-
35:On
the Day
when
heat
will be
produced
out of
that
(wealth)
in the
fire of
Hell,
and with
it will
be
branded
their
foreheads,
their
flanks,
and
their
backs,
their
flanks,
and
their
backs.-
"This is
the
(treasure)
which ye
buried
for
yourselves:
taste
ye,
then,
the
(treasures)
ye
buried!"
(The
Holy
Qur'an
9:34-35).
The
prophet
Muhammad
(pbuh)
in one
of the
hadith
said:
"Any
owner of
gold and
silver
who does
not
deliver
from
them
their
right,
on the
Day of
Quiyamah
(Day of
Judgment),
(the
gold and
silver)
will be
shaped
as foils
of fire.
Then it
will be
heated
in the
fire of
Hell;
(and)
then
with it
he will
be
ironed
on his
side,
his
forehead,
and his
back"
(narrated
by
Muslim).
A
muslim
is
required
to pay
Zakat
when
he/she
has
money is
equal or
greater
than
nisab.
The
nisab or
minimum
amount
of money
is
equivalent
to price
of 85
grams of
pure
gold.
Zakat
is due
after
the
passage
of one
Lunar
year
(approx.
355
days) of
having
the
possession
of money
by the
owner.
Zakat is
2.5% or
1/40 of
the
money in
possession
of the
owner.
The
owner
should
deduct
the
loans he
or she
has
borrowed
from
others.
Then
check of
the
remainder
is equal
or
greater
than the
nisab,
if so
then he
or she
should
pay
Zakat on
it.
Every
muslim
should
calculate
and pay
Zakat if
it is
due upon
him or
her.
There
are
Zakat
calculators
available
e.g. (Zakat
Calculator)
