Aug 26 2010
Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Ramdan transforms even non-practicing Muslims to perform all their religious rituals, pray for guidance, refrain from everyday evils, show self restraint and seek forgiveness for past sins. Ramadan is also a time when we focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment. People’s enthusiasm toward religious activity is unmatched during Ramadan.
Unfortunately, this same zeal is not visible with another equally important one of the five pillars of Islam – paying Zakat.
We do not miss any chance to hit out at the governments of Muslim countries the for poor condition of their people. But when it comes to playing our part we, sadly fail miserably.
Giving
In Western countries, charity and philanthropy is way of life for both governments and individuals. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the countries giving the highest amounts of charity money are USA- $28.67 billion, France- $12.43 billion, Germany- $11.98 billion, UK- $11.50 billion and Japan – $9.48 billion. The Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) July 2010 report also lists countries ranked by generosity as donation per citizen from data collected in 2008 are Luxembourg- $114/citizen, Norway – $96/citizen, Sweden- $66/citizen, Ireland- $66/citizen and Kuwait- $33/citizen. The same report also mentions that in terms of Humanitarian aid Saudi Arabia – 51.8 million tops the list, followed by United Arab Emirates- 35.3 million, Kuwait- 34.2 million, Russia- 32.5 million and India -14.6 million.
Recently, Warren Buffett, the investment guru and Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, started a drive called “The Giving Pledge” to encourage high-profile philanthropic promises. Buffet has pledged to donate 99 per cent of his wealth, while Bill and Melinda Gates have already donated half of theirs to charity, using it for improving the health of humanity. Muslims Sheikhs and Kings crowd the annual Forbes Rich List, but when it comes to being generous they are no match for likes of Buffet.
A recent survey in the USA found that the poorest fifth of U.S. households contributed an average of 4.3 percent of their incomes to charitable organizations in 2007. The richest fifth gave at less than half that rate, 2.1 percent.
Charity in Islam
Zakat, which was made mandatory in Makkah at the same time as Salat (prayers) requires, every year 2.5% of one’s wealth is given away to the poor and needy. The requirement of Zakat payment stops upon death of an individual. The act of giving Zakat means purifying one’s wealth to gain Allah’s blessing to make it grow in goodness and themselves from their greed and selfishness. In addition, Zakat purifies the person who receives it because it saves him from the humiliation of begging and prevents him from envying the rich.
Wealth is a blessing from their creator as long as it is acquired by Halal means and the person fulfills all his responsibilities towards Allah and society. Islam sees poverty as a social anomaly that is to be removed and alleviated. To protect the self respect of the poor, Allah (S.W.T) has declared that Zakat is the “right” of the poor from the wealth of the rich.
Islam has attached so much importance to Zakat that it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Anyone who does not believe in any of these five pillars of Islam cannot be categorized as a proper Muslim. The Quran has many surahs highlighting importance of Zakat and charity.
“ And perform Salat and give Zakat “ (Al Baqrah 43)
“So establish regular prayers; and give regular Charity; and obey the Messenger; That ye may receive mercy.” (An-Nur : 56)
”By no means shall you attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, Allah knows it well.” ( Al Imran, 92).
In spite of Quran laying equal emphasis on Salat and Zakat, people tend to place less importance on Zakat. Many give justification that since they are paying income taxes, they do not need to pay Zakat. Islam has given us a system of Zakat, where poor can be benefited directly. Zakat money most of the times reaches to the deserving poor and institutions that support them.
In many Muslim countries, many institutions survive only on Zakat money. Their annual budgets depending almost entirely on Zakat payments. During Ramadan, Allah promises to multiply every good deed by 70 times. Accordingly, many poor people look forward to receiving Zakat in the month of Ramadan. They pin their hopes and future planning for their medical needs, wedding or education; on Zakat money.
Very few who try to by-pass the Zakat with their weird logic should be beware. Hazrat Ali and Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “When Zakat is looked upon as a penalty (i.e., people will pay Zakat with a heavy heart, as though it is a penalty), then look for violent windstorms, earthquakes, men being swallowed by the earth, metamorphosis, stones being pelted from the skies, and calamities following one another in rapid succession, like beads of rosary falling one after the other when its string is cut.”
The Prophet (PBUH) also said, “The nation that withholds Zakat (i.e. does not pay it), Allah afflicts famine on them.”
Allah (SWT) promises to increase the wealth of every Zakat payee at the same time denouncing the wealth with interest. Zakat means grow (in goodness) or ‘increase’, ‘purifying’ or ‘making pure’.
“ Allah destroys wealth obtained from interest and will give increase for the deed of charity” (Al Baqrah: 276)
It is also stated in Hadith that Zakat brings benefits such as gaining the pleasure of Allah, increase in wealth, protection from losses, safety from calamities, protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death, shelter on the Day of Judgment, security from seventy misfortunes, serve as a shield from the fires of Jahannam and it contributes to Barkat in wealth and it also saves from fear and grief.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Indeed, an ignorant man who is generous is dearer to God than a worshiper who is miserly.”
Zakat is obligatory on any Muslim who has reached puberty, is sane, is free and who owns at least 595 grams of silver or 85 grams of gold or cash or business goods equal to it. The day, on which one will own the above mentioned amount, it is compulsory on them to pay 2.5% as zakah after the passing of one complete lunar year.
“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (9:60).
The Quran has clearly identified the criteria of the recipients of zakat in the verse above. They are as follow:
1. Poor (i.e., destitute, beggars).
2. Needy (those who have needs but embarrassed to beg from people).
3. People employed to administer the Zakat funds.
4. People who have converted to Islam and in financial difficulty.
5. Enslaved people seeking freedom (could also mean Muslims in prison).
6. People in debt (to help a person in debt to come out of it).
7. Muslims who are struggling in Allah’s cause.
8. Wayfarer (a traveler who is in need to complete his or her travel).
In a world where the rich are getting richer and poor getting poorer, this disparity has lead to social tension among classes and a rise in crime. Islam has provided us the system of Zakat so, if practiced properly, this disparity can be reduced. This also helps remove any possible ill feeling against the rich from a poor heart. It thus helps in maintaining social peace. Let’s fulfill our religious-social obligation and play a part in upliftment of the community Inshallah.