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Category: Zakaah

Major Sin: Not Paying Zakat

Allah, the Most High, says, {And do not let those who greedily withhold Allah’s bounties think it is good for them—in fact, it is bad for them! They will be leashed by their necks on the Day of Judgment with whatever wealth they used to withhold. And Allah is the sole inheritor of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.} (AI-Imran: 180)

The Qur’an also states, {Those who do not pay alms-tax and are in denial of the Hereafter. But those who believe and do good will certainly have a never-ending reward.} (Fussilat: 7-8)

Allah, the Almighty, says, {And there are those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous chastisement. On the Day when it will be heated in the Fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs. This is the (treasure) which ye hoarded for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye hoarded.} (At-Tawbah: 34-35)

Third Pillar Of Islam

Charity is not just recommended by Islam; it is required of every financially stable Muslim. Giving charity to those who deserve it is part of the Muslim character and one of the five pillars of Islamic practice. Zakat is viewed as ”  compulsory charity “; It is an obligation for those who have received their wealth from God to respond to those members of the community in need. Devoid of sentiments of universal love, some people know only to hoard wealth and to add to it by lending it out on interest. Islam’s teachings are the very antithesis of this attitude. Islam encourages the sharing of wealth with others and helps people to stand on their own and become productive members of society.

In Arabic, it is known as zakat, which literally means ” Purification,” because zakat is considered to purify one’s heart of greed. Love of wealth is natural, and it takes firm belief in God for a person to part with some of his wealth. Zakat must be paid on different Categories of Property: Gold – Silver – Money – livestock; Agricultural Produce; And Business commodities, and is payable each year after one year’s possession.

Zakah To Off-spring Of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Question:
I have heard that a Syed [Off-Spring of Prophet Mohammad] cannot take Zakah. How should a Syed be financially assisted if Zakah is not permitted for him to take?

Answer:
It is not permissible to discharge one’s Zakah by distributing it to a Syed. [Shami]

As with regard to the concern that How should a Syed be financially assisted if Zakah is not permitted him to take? Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahmatullahi alaihi (the former Grand Mufti of Darul Uloom Deoband) states: That wealthy person should financially assist them with donations since Zakah is considered the filth of one’s wealth. The status of the Syeds is far above that they should make use of the filth of people’s wealth. It is stated in Hidaayah,

Zakah should not be given to the Bani Haashim because Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam said “O Bani Haashim! Indeed Allah has prohibited for you the filth and squalor of people”.

It is not permissible to give zakat to the progeny of Hadrat Fatimah Radi Allahu anha, the progeny of Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Abbas Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Ja’far Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Aqeel Radi Allahu anhu, Hadrat Haarith bin Abdul Muttalib Radi Allahu anhu. Similarly, the charities that have been made wajib by the Shariah cannot be given to the progeny of the above Sahabah. Such charities are, nazr, kaffarah, ushr, sadaqatul fitr. Apart from these, all other charities can be given to them.

As for the family of the Prophet, upon whom be peace, the vast majority of the Hanafiyyah, the Shaf’iyyah, the Hanbaliyyah, and the majority of the Zaidiyyah hold that nonobligatory sadaqah is permissible for them but not the obligatory one, since to them the obligatory sadaqah is nothing but filth that comes out from people’s holdings. This is understood to mean that the (prescribed) zakah and not the nonobligatory sadaqat, are forbidden to them. It is said in alBahr that nonobligatory sadaqah is restricted by being confined to a donation, gift, or endowment.

In Al Bahrur Raaiq it is stated that the generality of this Hadeeth disqualifies the notion that a Bani Haashim is permitted to give Zakaah to a fellow Bani Haashim (which also includes the Syeds).

[Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Vol. 7 Pg. 254/5, also see Vol. 11 Pg. 123/4, Vol. 3 Pg. 32]

And Allah knows the Best

Author: Darul Iftaa
Organization: Jamiatul Ulama – Council of Muslim Theologians, Johannesburg – South Africa

What Is Zakah, Benefits, And Punishment For Not Paying Zakah

What Is Zakah?
Zakah is an obligatory form of “charity” expected from every Muslim individual. Zakat can be defined as that portion of a man’s wealth that is designated for the poor. The term is derived from the Arabic verbal root meaning to increase, to purify, and to bless. “Take Sadaqah from their property in order to purify and sanctify them” (Al-Quran 9:103)

It refers to the purification of a Muslim’s wealth and soul. To “purify” is to purify them from the faults of stinginess, greed and meanness, and lack of remorse towards the needy, and other similar depravities.

“Zakat is for the poor, and the needy, and those who are employed to administer and collect it, and the new converts, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt and service of the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarers, a duty ordained by Allah, and Allah is the All-Knowing, the Wise”. At Taubah 9: 60

Benefits Of Zakah
Zakat is for the welfare of the unprivileged and establishes a society on humanitarian grounds. Zakat also purifies the heart of the recipient from jealousy and hatred toward those who are wealthy in the material sense. Zakat also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed for wealth and is an essential element in attaining mutual love, cooperation, and solidarity among members of Moslem society.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “He who discharges Zakah of his property, his sins shall leave him.”

“The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn; it grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grain. Allah gives manifold increase to whom he pleases.” (2:26)

In the above verse 2:26, Allah has promised that He will repay hundredfold in the hereafter what a believer spent in the way of Allah.

The Nisaab (Minimum ‘Zakatable’ Income)
The Nisaab is defined as the minimum wealth that one must hold for one year, at the end of which Zakat is payable. The Nisaab of gold is three ounces or about 85 grams of pure gold and of silver is 596 grams of pure silver. All Muslims (minor or adult) with a set minimum level of income and assets are expected to pay Zakat of at least 2.5%.

Types Of Zakah

1. Zakah On Business (URAD AL TIJARAH)
In this context, business refers to any form of trading activity that generates income (i.e. Buying and selling, for the sake of profit e.g. foodstuffs, furniture, animals, land, etc). Anyone who owns a business with a minimum working capital (Stock and Cash) must pay Zakat.

Formula: 2.5% x [(Current Assets – Current Liabilities)

2. Zakah On Rental Income
Formula: 2.5% x [Total Annual Rental Revenue – Rental Expenses]

3. Zakah On Agricultural Produce
Zakah On Agriculture Is Due Upon Each Harvest If It Is Equal To 2 Wasq (A Measure That’s Equal To 653 Kg).

Zakat is payable on all agricultural produce including fruits, commercially grown flowers, vegetables, and all types of grains at the time of harvest itself. The Zakat levy on agricultural produce varies according to the way the land is irrigated.

a) The Zakat is 10% of the land produce if the land is irrigated by streams, rivers (running water), or rainfall (without human effort).
b) The Zakat is 5% of the land produce if the land is irrigated by wells (or by artificial canal systems, tank water, or bore well and open well) There is no deduction out of this on any account.
c) For crops dependent partly on rainwater and partly on other water (Irrigation), the Zakat applicable would be 7.5% of produce.

4. Zakah On Personal Income (e.g. Salary)
In this context, personal income refers to the salary/wages, commissions, allowances, bonuses, and monetary gifts earned by a zakah payer through permissible (halal) activities.

Zakat is payable When the total annual salary (i.e. salary per month multiplied by 12 months) earned by an individual is equal to or greater than the price of 596 grams of pure silver.
Formula: 2.5% x [Total Salary for the Year + Any Other Income/allowances]

Narrated ‘Abdullah: The Prophet said, “Who among you considers the wealth of his heirs dearer to him than his own wealth?” They replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! There is none among us but loves his own wealth more.” The Prophet said, “So his wealth is whatever he spends (in Allah’s Cause) during his life (on good deeds) while the wealth of his heirs is whatever he leaves after his death.”

5. Zakah On Animals:

Goats and Sheep
Up to 39 Goats/Sheep=No Zakat
From 40 to 120 Goats/Sheep=1 goat
From 121 to 200 Goats/Sheep=2 goats
From 201 to 300 Goats/Sheep=3 goats
Thereafter 300 on 1 goat for every 100 Goats/Sheep

Cows and Oxen
Up to 29 cows= No Zakat
From 30 to 39 cows=1 one-year-old male or female calf.
From 40 to 59 cows =1 two-year-old male or female
From 60 to 69 cows =2 one-year-old male or female
From 70 to 79 cows =1 one-year-old and 1 two-year-old male or female
From 80 to 89 cows =2 two-year-old male or female
From 90 to 99 cows =3 one-year-old male or female
From 100 to 109 cows =1 two-year-old male or female
From 110 to 119 cows =2 two-year and 1 one-year-old male or female
From 120 to 129 cows =3 two-year-old or 4 one-year-old male or female
Thereafter 130 on 1 one-year-old for each 30 or 1 two-year-old for each 40.

Please Note:
· The person who owns different types of wealth e.g. animals, commercial goods and gold and silver must give Zakat on each category of wealth separately.

· Zakat must be given in kind, that is, if one’s wealth is in cattle, one must pay in cattle rather than their equivalent in money;

· Items of everyday use that are not meant for trade, such as household utensils, clothes; tools and machinery used for further production or business operation, and animals used in agriculture are not Zakatable

Where Should One Pay His Zakah?
Zakat can be paid at the mosque near you so the mosque committee or the Imaam can distribute it to the poor and needy that are entitled to get it. You can also give it to any Reputable Muslim Charitable Organization of your choice.

Please Also Note: A Muslim’s primary responsibility is to pay the Zakat, not to supervise how it is spent. Refusal to pay the Zakat for fear of it being misappropriated is punishable by Allah as indicated below.

Punishment For Those Who Refuses To Pay Zakah
Allah (The Glorified and the Exalted) has strongly warned those who are negligent in the fulfillment of these duties. Thus He said, “Those who hoard up treasures of gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah; give them the news of a painful punishment, on the Day when that (wealth) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their forehead, their sides, and their backs, (and it will be said to them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard.'” [Al-Quran 9:34-35]

‘Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising.’ [Al-Quran 3:180]

Further, At-Tabarani relates, on the authority of ‘Ali, that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah has enjoined upon rich Muslims a due to be taken from their properties corresponding to the needs of the poor among them. The poor will never suffer from starvation or lack of clothes unless the rich neglect their due. If they do, Allah will surely hold them accountable and punish them severely.” (Related by At-Tabarani in Al-‘Aswat and as-Saghir).

Purification Of Wealth

“Establish Salah and pay Zakah and bow down with those who bow down in worship.” Al- Quran [al-Baqarah, 2:43]

Allah has related a story of some people who were earning that which Allah was providing them. However, they believed that they were earning their wealth because of their hard work and they forgot that it is actually Allah who provided them with what they had earned. They said why should we share our wealth with the needy people as it belongs to us because we had been working hard for it. Allah then tested them until they finally returned to their Lord in submission. Allah says in Surah al-Qalam:

“Surely We shall try them as We tried the owners of the garden when they swore that they would pluck its fruit the next morning, without adding any reservation ( such as Insha’Allah, God willing). So a calamity from your Lord came down upon it while they slept, and by the morning it lay as if it had been already harvested. At daybreak they called out to one another, saying: ‘Go out early to your crop if you want to pick its fruit.’ So they went, whispering to one another: ‘ Let no needy person enter upon you in the garden today.’ Thus they went out, fixed in their stingy resolve. But when they saw the garden, they cried: ‘Surely we must have lost our way! Nay, we have become destitute.’ The most upright among them said: ‘Did I not tell you to glorify Allah? Why did you not glorify him?’ Then they said: ‘Glory be to our Lord! Surely we were unjust,”. (And they started blaming one another).

Finally, they said: ‘”Woe to us! Surely we had become rebellious. It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better garden than this: surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.’ Such is the punishment in this life, but the punishment in the Hereafter is even greater if they but knew it.” [al-Qalam – 68:17-33]

There is another story in the Qur’an. Qaroon was a wealthy man from Bani-Israael, (” And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men”). His belief was that he had earned all his wealth because of his own intelligence or knowledge, (Qaroon said: “This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess.”). Allah then destroyed him and all his wealth,” So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves.” [Surah al-Qasas]

Allah has made Zakah obligatory for Muslims to protect& purify our wealth. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi was- sallam) said”Allah has made Zakat obligatory simply to purify your remainingproperty,..” [Abu Dawud]. We should know that the one Who favors us can also take back what He had given us. We should also remember that Zakah does not replace Sadaqah. Zakah is obligatory on those who are entitled to pay, whereas Sadaqah (charity) can be given by anyone including those who have a minimum or just a little more than nothing. Even a smile could be a Sadaqah.

“And in their properties, there was the right of the beggar, and the mahroom” [51:19]

Allah says about the Muttaqeen that they spend their income on those who ask them [beggars, lilssaili] as well as on those who are needy but they do not ask for help [Mahroom]. A beggar could be truly in need or could be a habitual one. However, it is the nobility of character that one should always give something when asked by someone. Even if a billionaire asks us for something, we should not let him go without anything, at least give him something. We should give according to our standard. How would you think about a millionaire giving a penny to charity?

“O believers, spend in Allah’s Way the best portion of the wealth you have lawfully earned and that which We have produced for you from the earth, and do not pick out for charity those worthless things that you yourselves would not accept but with closed eyes.
Bear in mind that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.” [al-Baqarah – 2:267]

Allah says that those people who are saved from the greediness and love of wealth, it is they who are successful.

“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, (waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi) then they are the successful ones.” [at-Taghabun – 64:16]

“And spend of that with which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (or Zakat) of my wealth, and be among the righteous. [al-Munafiqoon – 63:10]

“And Al-Muttaqoon will be far removed from it (Hell).

He who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification, And have in his mind no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, Except only the desire to seek the good pleasure of his Lord, the Highest; Such persons shall soon be well-pleased with Allah.” [al-Lail – 92:17-21]

Zakat: The Third Pillar of Islam

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. In importance, it is next to prayer and the commandments concerning Zakat and prayer in the Holy Qur’an occur together.

Zakat literally means purification, growth, righteousness, and blessing. According to the Shariah or Islamic law, it denotes a specific amount in the wealth of Muslims due for distribution among the needy in the community. The obligatory character of Zakat and punishment for those unmindful of this responsibility are spelled out in the Holy Qur’an thus: “Take sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them.” (9:103) and;

“… And those who hoard the gold and silver (Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakat of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the Way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment – on the Day when that (Al-Kanz) will be heated in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks and their backs. “This is the (treasure) which you hoarded for yourselves: Now taste of what you used to hoard.” (9:34)

The payment of Zakat has a healthy impact on the giver, the recipient and the society at large. It purifies the assets of the giver, retains his quest for material goods and creates in him the virtue of sharing his wealth with others. It uplifts him from a life of material pursuit to a life endued with moral purpose.

Zakat satisfies the recipient’s needs and alleviates his suffering. Poverty is an invitation to disbelief; it may kill virtue. That is why Islam, instead of abandoning the poor to the caprice of the rich, makes a compelling demand for Zakat payment. The payer gives Zakat as an act of worship, while the destitute receives it as a right, without any obligation towards the payer.

Zakat thus creates love and brotherhood between the rich and the poor, minimizes social tensions and bridges the gap between the haves and the have-nots. It provides social and economic security to the Muslim community and brings its members closer together. Its rewards are boundless.

According to some Islamic scholars, Zakat in the legal sense means “a right on wealth” or “the specified part of wealth designated by Allah to be given to certain beneficiaries.” Zakat is not a tax.

It is a spiritual-material obligation on every Muslim in possession of a minimum amount of wealth, or more, for a period of one lunar year. The minimum Zakat payable on monetary wealth and on gold and silver is 2.5 per cent, or the 40th part of the wealth.

There are eight conditions which make Zakat obligatory, some of them relating to the owner and others to the possessions. They are: Anyone owning Zakatable wealth must be a Muslim, free person (not a slave), of sound mind, an adult, in complete ownership of his wealth, in possession of such wealth which is over and above the requirements to satisfy the essential needs of the owner and of those legitimately dependent on him or her, free from debt, and in possession of a defined quantity of wealth for one complete lunar year.

Zakat is not obligatory on those who have not reached the age of puberty. A child is not required to pay Zakat even if he or she is the owner of enough wealth which makes Zakat obligatory on an adult. The moment a minor reaches the age of puberty, the regulations relating to Zakat will become applicable. According to some Islamic scholars, however, the guardian of such a child should pay Zakat on behalf of the minor.

Zakat is calculated on the wealth possessed by a person, and unless and until he or she attains the minimum quantity of the specified wealth, he or she is not liable to pay Zakat. This minimum limit is known in the Shariah as Nisab.

The person who has the specified minimum and over is considered wealthy enough to pay Zakat and, in this manner, share his wealth with the indigent. Besides cash, Zakat is applicable only to the following categories of wealth: gold, silver, livestock that graze, and all types of commercial merchandise.

The possession of 7.5 tolas (87.48 grams) minimum gold or 52.5 tolas (612.36 grams) minimum silver, or their equivalent of cash, for one lunar year makes one liable to pay Zakat at the rate of 2.5 percent. It is payable on the minimum and whatever is in excess thereof. If someone possesses some gold and some silver but the quantity of each of the metals does not reach the minimum limit by itself, but they touch the minimum value if put together, then Zakat will become payable on the total.

Gold and silver in any shape or form – jewelry, utensils, etc. are all considered as wealth and Zakat becomes payable on them if the weight reaches the minimum limit and their possession completes 12 lunar months.

All jewelry made of gold or silver is subject to the payment of Zakat if the quantity reaches or exceeds the Nisab limit and remains in possession for 12 months, even if the jewelry is used everyday by the owner or kept for future use, because gold and silver in any form are liable for payment of Zakat. The same is applicable to gold and silver utensils.

Some other schools of Fiqh are of the view that the jewelry worn in normal use of Muslim women of that social status is exempt from Zakat.

Clothes, irrespective of cost and quantity, are exempted from Zakat. But if they have gold or/and silver embroidered or thread work on them, and the weight of gold or/and silver metal used therein reaches or exceeds the minimum Nisab limit, then Zakat will have to be paid on that portion alone at the end of every 12 months.

The amount of money possessed by one which could purchase the minimum Nisab quantity of gold or silver will be regarded as eligibility for the Nisab for the purpose of Zakat. If a person possesses, say, five tolas of gold or 25 tolas of silver, but he also possesses enough cash to purchase 2.5 tola of gold or 27.5 tolas of silver, then he will be considered as having reached the Nisab limit and will be liable to pay Zakat.

There is no Zakat on pearls and/or precious stones, provided they are not meant for trade or investment. Whenever a person’s wealth reaches the minimum Nisab, from that date calculation of the year will begin for the purpose of Zakat and Zakat will have to be paid on the completion of 12 months of the Hijra calendar.

Why Pay Zakat

ZAKAT (almsgiving) is a required charity of a Muslim. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is given by free Muslims (not slaves), who have a certain amount of wealth. “…And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, and lend to Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you send before you for yourselves (i.e. Nawafil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Haj and ‘Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. And seek Forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.” (Qur’an 73:20).

In the verse quoted above, and at numerous other places in the Qur’an, Muslims are directed to pay Zakat from their wealth. Zakat in Islam is a method of wealth redistribution. It makes wealth circulate in the body of the nation.

The Qur’an demands that individuals take material responsibility for poverty and suffering in the Muslim community (Ummah). That is why the Qur’anic revelation demands that each person give up a certain amount of material wealth to support the poor, the indigent, the sick, and the suffering. Generally, charity in Islam is of two types: voluntary and obligatory. A Muslim should pay a certain percentage of his wealth every year; this is Zakat, which is obligatory charity. Other than Zakat, any other money a Muslim spends for the sake of Allah is voluntary charity (Sadaqa). All Muslims, rich or poor are to pay charity proportionally. Muslims should acquire wealth with the intention of spending it on their own needs, and the needs of others.Allah says: “And whatsoever you spend of anything (in the cause of Allah), He will replace it. He is the Best of those who grants sustenance.” (Qur’an 34:39)

There are also many warnings against those who do not spend for the sake of Allah:

“And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, O my Lord! Why did You not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good? But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that yoy do.” (Qur’an 63:11).

The Muslim, who gives out Zakat, affirms the truth that nothing is dearer to him in life than the love of Allah and that he is fully prepared to sacrifice everything for Allah’s sake.

There is no burden of obligation on one who receives Zakat, and there must be a sense of thankfulness and gratitude on the part of the giver, since he has been enabled by the recipient to discharge his obligation that he owes to Allah and society.

Zakat is the wealth given in the way of Allah to obtain purity of heart and to obtain the blessings of Allah. The root of the word Zakat in Arabic has two meanings:”purity” and “growth.”

“Take alms from their wealth (O Prophet!) in order to purify them with it.” (Qur’an 9:103)

The word (zakat) was specifically used for the wealth a Muslim gives to those in authority to meet the collective requirements of a state. It is evident from the Qur’an that like prayer, Zakat has always remained an essential ingredient of the Shari ‘ah (Islamic legislation) given to Prophets of Allah.

Zakat also pleases Allah and strengthens one’s soul: “And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah’s pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smites it and it brings forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what you do.” (Qur’an 2:265)

Importance Of Zakah

Zakah (alms) is one of the five pillars of Islam. Its importance can be realized from the fact that in 82 verses of the Qur’an Zakah is associated with prayer (Salah), such as :
Establish regular prayer and give Zakah, and obey Allah and his messenger. Quran (33:33)

If social justice and compassion to fellow humans who are disadvantaged is one of the central themes in the message of Allah to humanity,

Then it is no wonder that Zakah, like prayer and fasting, was also enjoined upon the people of the past messengers:
And we made them ( descendants of Abraham ) leaders, guiding by our command, and we sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practice Zakah; and they constantly served us. Quran (21:73)

The Benefits 0f Giving  Zakah
1.. It Purifies Your Wealth As Allah Ta’ala Says in The Qur’an:
Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it and pray for them. Quran (9:103)

2.. It keeps one away from sin and saves the giver from the moral ill arising from the love and greed of wealth.

3.. Through Zakah, the poor are cared for, these include widows, orphans, the disabled, the needy, and the destitute.

Zakah is the right of the poor. Zakah is not considered a favor that is given to the poor by the rich. It is the right of the poor to the wealth of the rich. Allah says:
..(In their) wealth there is a known share for the beggars and the destitute. Quran (70:24-25)

Zakah, therefore, is unlike charity which is given to the needy voluntarily. Withholding Zakah is considered to deprive the poor of their due share. Thus one who pays Zakah actually ” Purifies ” his wealth by separating from it the portion that belongs to the poor.

Zakat-Ul-Fitr

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 579]

Narrated Ibn Umar ( RadiAllah Anhu) Allah’s Apostle (sal-Allahu-alleihi-wasallam) Enjoined The Payment Of One Sa’ Of Dates Or One Sa’ Of Barley As Zakat-Ul-Fitr On Every Muslim Slave Or Free, Male Or Female, Young Or Old, And He Ordered That it Be Paid Before The People Went Out To Offer The ‘Id Prayer.

fitr

 

[Sahih Muslim : Book 5 Kitab Al-Zakat, Number 2153]

Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-Allahu-alleihi-wasallam) Prescribed Zakat-Ul-Fitr Of Ramadan One Sa’ Of Dates Or One Sa’ Of Barley for Every individual Among The Muslims (whether) Free Man Or Slave, Male Or Female, Young Or Old.

fitr

 

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 588]

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sal-Allahu-alleihi-wasallam) has made Sadaqatul-Fitr obligatory, (and it was),
Either One Sa’ Of Barley Or One Sa’ Of Dates (and its payment was obligatory) on young and old people, and on free men as well as on slaves.

fitr

 

[Sahih Muslim : Book 5 Kitab Al-Zakat, Number 2159]

Ibn ‘Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-Allahu-alleihi-wasallam) ordered that the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr should be paid before the people go out for prayer.

fitr
[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 587]

Narrated Nafi’: Ibn ‘Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) said, “The Prophet (sal-Allahu-alleihi-wasallam) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of One Sa’ Of Dates Or Barley As Sadaqat-Ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan) .”

The People then substituted half Sa’ of wheat for that. Ibn ‘Umar used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ulFitr) . Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn ‘Umar gave barley. ‘ And Ibn ‘Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn ‘Umar used to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the ‘Eid.
fitr

Punishments For Not Paying Zakah

Narrated Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu) : Allah’s Apostle (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said,  “Anyone whom Allah has given wealth but he does not pay its zakat, then, on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be presented to him in the shape of a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two poisonous glands in its mouth and with two black spots over the eyes. it will encircle itself around his neck and bite him over his cheeks and say, “I am your wealth; I am your treasure.”

Then the Prophet (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) recited this Divine Verse:–
“And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty.”
(3.180)

{Sahih Bukhari}

(Book #60, Hadith #88) (Book #24, Hadith #486)

Narrated Abu Dhar (radi’Allahu anhu) : Once I went to him (the Prophet ) and he (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “By Allah in Whose Hands my life is (or probably said, ‘By Allah, except Whom none has the right to be worshipped) whoever had camels or cows or sheep and did not pay their zakat, those animals will be brought on the Day of Resurrection far bigger and fatter than before and they will tread him under their hooves and will butt him with their horns, and (those animals will come in a circle): When the last does its turn, the first will start again,
and this punishment will go on till Allah has finished the judgments amongst the people.”

{Sahih Bukhari}

(Book #24, Hadith #539)

Abu Huraira (radi’Allahu anhu) reported
Allah’s Messenger (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) as saying: “If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead, and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell.

It was said: Messenger of Allah, what about the camel? He (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: If any owner of the camel does not pay what is due on him, and of his due in that (camel) is (also) to milk it on the day when it comes down to the water. When the Day of Resurrection comes
a soft sandy plain will be set for him, as extensive as possible, (he will find) that not a single young one is missing, and they will trample him with their hoofs and bite him with their mouths. As often as the first of them passes him, the last of them would be made to return during a day
the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell. It was (again) said:

Messenger of Allah, what about cows (cattle) and sheep? He (sall’Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: If any owner of the cattle and sheep does not pay
what is due on them, when the Day of Resurrection comes a soft sandy plain would be spread for them, he will find none of them missing, with twisted horns, without horns or with a broken horn, and they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs. As often as the first of them passes him the last of them would be made to return to him during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years until judgment would be pronounced among the servants. And he would be shown his path leading him to Paradise or to Hell…”
Sahih Muslim (Book #005, Hadith #2161)