The Role of Zakat in Case of Charity

 

Islam has made zakat obligatory for the suffering humanity to protect the interests of the poor and the just. In Islamic economics, there are guidelines for the distribution of all kinds of wealth, and there are specific guidelines for maintaining economic balance in human society through zakat. In this regard in the Holy Qur'an, Allah the Almighty declares, "Wealth should not be circulated only among your rich." (Surah Al-Hashr, verse 7) and ‘in their (rich people's) wealth there is certainly the right of the destitute (poor) and the deprived.’ (Surah Al-Jariyat, verse 19).

One class of rich people will build mountains of wealth and money, while the other class of poor people will be afflicted with the cruel scourge of extreme hunger and poverty, such a heinous practice Islam never supports. Islam has largely preserved the rights of the poor, the rights of the poorest of the poor through wealth, generosity of wealth and justice. The rights of the poor over the wealth of the rich have been repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.

Generosity is a great virtue from a human point of view. Many virtues of charity have been described in the Qur'an and Hadith. The hadith says, “Generosity is a tree of Paradise, which will take him to Paradise ”(Mishkat Sharif). This virtue is for any time but there are special virtues for charity in Ramadan. This is good news for all Muslims who are religious and financially capable to donate.

Zakat is a very important Rokon or worship of Islam. After Iman, the most important and essential acts of worship are Salat (Prayers) and Zakat. Prayers and zakat have been enjoined in many places in the Qur'an and infinite blessings, mercy and forgiveness as well as self-purification have been promised to the loyal servants of Allah. The lexical meaning of zakat is to be purified, to be increased. In Zakat terms, to make a poor Muslim the owner of a fixed portion of wealth according to the Shari'ah. On the condition that the poor Muslim Prophet (PBUH) its descendants or their freed slaves cannot be and the property of the zakat payer must be completely freed from that property and must be given for the pleasure of Allah.

Many people have doubts or doubts, if giving zakat apparently reduces wealth, then how can wealth increase. In fact, just as the wealth becomes pure when Zakat is given, so Allah becomes the custodian of that wealth, no one can harm or destroy that wealth. If the zakat is paid properly, then the wealth is not stolen, does not burn, does not rot, is not wasted, and no one can embezzle it. For example, two brothers earn equal income by doing the same business or job. One is involved in deception and adultery, pays no zakat and is accustomed to living a very luxurious life but the other pays zakat, is honest, does not engage in any wrongdoing and is accustomed to living a normal life.

The first one slept on polao roast at night, and the second one slept on normal vegetable rice. He was the first to be taken to the hospital in the morning with a stomach ailment. His illness became very serious and cost him millions of Taka in a few days. Yes. After eating a little good food, one lost a few lakhs of Taka and the one who paid zakat did not have any expenses, meaning Allah protected him and blessed his wealth. In fact, we do not see but feel how Allah increases wealth through zakat. To give another example, you pay Zakat, your wife will give birth to a child, take her to the hospital, take fifty thousand Taka in her pocket, but after taking her to the hospital, instead of Caesar, the baby was delivered normally, the total cost was five thousand Taka. May Allah bless you by reducing the cost of forty thousand Taka. There are thousands of such examples, nothing can be stopped when Allah gives wealth to people and this is how He increases wealth by giving Zakat.

The most important thing in physical worship is prayer, just as the most important thing in financial worship is zakat. Due to their boundless importance, Allah has described these two acts of worship side by side in the Holy Qur'an. The importance of zakat in Islam is immense. Allah mentions Zakat along with prayers in 82 places in the Qur'aan. Besides, prayers and zakat are very closely related to each other. Many of us donate a portion of our money as Zakat without settling or properly  counting the accounts. In fact, such donations are not considered as Zakat, they can be ordinary donations. At the time of paying zakat, the amount of nisab has to be calculated properly and then the right of zakat is realized.

Conditions for making zakat obligatory-1. Nesab amount to own the goods, i.e, to own seven and a half tons of gold, or fifty-two and a half tons of silver, or the equivalent of cash or business goods; 2. Becoming a Muslim. Zakat is not obligatory on the disbeliever; 3. Grow up Zakat is not obligatory on minors; 4. To be wise and conscientious. Zakat is not obligatory on a person who is always insane, even if he has a fair amount of wealth; 5. To be free. Zakat is not obligatory on slaves; 6. Having full ownership over the goods. Zakat is not obligatory on incomplete ownership; 7. The amount of goods in excess of the daily necessities; 8. Nesab amount of goods spent one year; 9. Growing goods. The virtue of zakat, Allaah says, "And He is the Best of providers". (Surah Saba, verse: 39)

That is why the helpless have determined their right to the rich to lead a normal life. In the Islamic economy, zakat fetra, sadaqa and charity are only available to the poor, in fact these are the basic rights of the poor. Through zakat, it is possible to alleviate the shortage of the needy, the miserable, the helpless, the hungry, the destitute, the poor and to rehabilitate them economically. The main purpose of the zakat system in Islam is to provide humanitarian service and to provide peace and security in the socio-economic life of the poorest Muslims.

Numerous verses in the Holy Qur'an directly or indirectly discuss zakat, sadaqa, fatwa and wealth and its expenditure. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Give every rightful person his due.’ (Bukhari). Islam has recognized the basic rights of the poor in the society as well as given them a dignified status with utmost importance. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘40 years before the rich and the poor, the poor will enter Paradise. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will ask the angels, ‘You see, where is my beloved slave?’ The angels will say, ‘O Lord of the Worlds! Who is your favorite servant? The answer from Allah will be, "They will be poor Muslims. They were satisfied with my bounty and blessings. Take them to Paradise."

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) for the benefit of the Prophet (PBUH), the huge wealth gained from ancestral sources and earned through trade was wasted in the need of Islam. The need for his own future and the future of his family and children could never shrink his hand of charity. During the Tabuk campaign, the Companions responded to the call of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and began to make competitive donations to cover the cost of the war. First of all, he presented all his wealth to the Messenger of Allah. Hazrat Uthman (RA) gave 900 camels, 100 horses and a large amount of cash and gold. Hazrat Abdur Rahman Ibn Auf (RA), He gave 29 and a half kilos of silver coins. Hazrat As Ibn Adi (RA) gave 13 tons of dates. Hazrat Omar, Talha, Saad Ibn Ubada, Muhammad Ibn Maslama (RA) donated half of the total wealth. Finally, the Prophet (PBUH) asked, O Abu Bakr! What did you leave at home? He replied, "I have left Allah and His Messenger."

Many helpless people, especially the poor and destitute, have been left without food due to the COVID-19 virus in the past years and the recent war in Ukraine. They are living with many difficulties, many are well off but their livelihoods have been cut short  during the COVID-19 virus and they are unable to seek help for fear of embarrassment. Can't pay rent, many people are not able to fast properly due to lack of food. Zakat can be paid at any time of the year but we do not choose the month of Ramadan as the best time in the hope of more rewards and virtues. Those who pay zakat must be self-sufficient. If they wish, we can also donate extra zakat. All you need is goodwill. There is no limit to charity in Islam. Wealth is not diminished by any gift, but is increased and blessed. If we extend a helping hand to the poor and needy by donating a little more after paying Zakat this year, then just as the beneficiaries will benefit, so too the giver will have many rewards on the occasion of the month of Ramadan. So come on! We please Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). We stand by the side of the helpless people, as if with the money of your zakat-fetra, a smile appears on the face of the unfortunate people. Amen.


Md. Zillur Rahaman is a
banker and a columnist.