A question on Zakah
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zakah does not primarily mean alms / poor-rate / charity
i strongly suggest going through all its occurrences in 'al quran'.
it means positive development, something which grows positively, betterment.
the above can include giving to charity, but it is much much wider than that.
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Salaam Zainab
The point that you raised was something that always has been on my mind and since Allah did not mentioned any fixed rates for Zakaat in the Qur'aan, then your analysis is right on point and I agree 100%
Salaam
Salaam Alaikum to all ..
As we know, the Qur'aan lays great emphasis on charity. But nowhere has the Qur'aan mentioned or fixed any minimal amount for this purpose, obviously meaning that charity is to be given in accordance with one's financial means. Yet, according to the practical ruling of Muslim law makers, the minimal amount for zakah has been fixed at 2 and a half percent. Can anyone please comment on the source of this figure and provide some details?
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Salaam Zainab
The point that you raised was something that always has been on my mind and since Allah did not mentioned any fixed rates for Zakaat in the Qur'aan, then your analysis is right on point and I agree 100%
Salaam
Salaam Alaikum to all ..
As we know, the Qur'aan lays great emphasis on charity. But nowhere has the Qur'aan mentioned or fixed any minimal amount for this purpose, obviously meaning that charity is to be given in accordance with one's financial means. Yet, according to the practical ruling of Muslim law makers, the minimal amount for zakah has been fixed at 2 and a half percent. Can anyone please comment on the source of this figure and provide some details?
Walaikum Salaam dear brother Al-Khidr ..
Many thanks for your response. Actually it's the aspect of 2.5% that keeps raising questions in my mind. There's clearly a lack of parity here. Most people in the average income range would find it okay. But for those who are in the lower income group having a very tight budget and yet not exempted them from paying Zakah by the law makers, might not be able to afford even 2.5%. Then again, if commoners are expected to pay 2.5%, the multi-millionaires and billionaires ought to have a tax rate higher (if not much higher) than just 2.5%. Obviously this is the reason why the Qur'aan has kept this matter open, so that each person can give what they can comfortably afford or in the words of the Qur'aan, to give what is "superfluous."
If you find any useful information on this issue, do please share it with me.
Thanks again dear brother. Allah Bless.
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Salat and Infaq
2.3. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.
8.3. Who establish regular prayers and spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance.
13.22. Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; Establish regular prayers; spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) home.
Salat and Zakat
2.277. Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
9.11. But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
9.18. The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance.
Salat-Infaq and Salat-Zakat are mentioned in the Quran many a times. Infaq and Zakat are actually same. It is correct that the term Zakat has the connotation of purification, but in Islam, Zakat means purification through spending and sharing. The verses we have right at the beginning of the Quran talking about the guidance-worthy people are the verses 22-3. Islam or submission to God is a system of life based on these three fundamental principles Iman, Salat and Zakat. The entire Quran is just profound explanation of the three principles.
Man has two relations his relation with God and his relation with man. Salat is the means of purifying and growing the relation with God. Zakat is the means of purifying and growing the relations with man. Relation with God is a mental state. Relation with man is manifested through behavior. Proper man-God relation must result in the proper man-man relation. At the same time, without a proper man-man relation, a pure and monotheistic man-God relation can not be achieved. The relations with man and man are of two kinds financial and non-financial. The non-financial relations are easier to make proper, but it is really hard to attain proper relations associated with financial aspects. Man is to strive hard for resources. His responsibility is to work as per his ability. On the other hand, he is to enjoy only as per his needs and the rest of his earnings belongs to the society, which should be handed over to it. It is actually not charity, rather the due share of the society. In Islam, even a smile is an act of charity. So financial spending and sharing, as well as, good manners are all in the fold of Zakat in its broad sense. In this way, through Zakat, man gets his heart purified from the worshiping of the idols of wealth and lust. You can nicely explain this very same thing from the ?khalifa? position of man.
Here it is you, who is to decide what you can live without and what remains as excess to your needs.
But the Muslim society, from its administrative positions, shall decide an easy amount of wealth to be given by the rich to the state fund for the purpose of poverty elevation and propagation and protection of God?s system of life. The fixation of rate and the way of collecting it is a discipline of taxation and legislation. In the time of the Prophet, he decided it to be 2.5% for savings and 10% / 5% for crops etc.
A good citizen serves his State with all sincerity and possessions and never forget to pay the taxes demanded by the State. A mediocre one is always busy with the minimums of the taxes. An absurd citizen is he who screams with sincerity to pay more, but refuses to pay the tax.
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Is it haram to give zakah to poor idol-worshippers/disbelievers/etc.?
I mean...I'm not saying we have even the RIGHT to say who's a believer and not...but I was just wondering for example...is it haram to pay zakah to the poor in Afghanistan?
-M
2215 They ask you about giving say, "The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien." Any good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof.
2270 Any charity you give, or a charitable pledge you fulfill, GOD is fully aware thereof. As for the wicked, they will have no helpers.
2272 You are not responsible for their guidance, but it is God who will guide whomever He wishes. Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
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Thanks again projedi. jedi
-M
jedi... laugh
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Peace all
We must move away from the idea that zakaat means charity. As Wakas mentioned earlier in this thread, an in depth investigation of the concept of zakaat in the quran leads one to a different definition of the concept.
Imraan
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My tailor had some kidney stones back when, he apparently had some "natural" stuff given to him by a homeopath (my dad swears by them occasionally though I think it's the high alcohol content in their concoctions that kinda seals the deal for him, it's not alcohol! it's medicine you foolish spawn!)...anyways the tailor was showing off his stones (don't sue me for bad puns) in his shop, in a jar a few weeks later. Turned me off from my fashion extravagances for quite some time but hey. This also might not be the best thread for your dilemma.
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My tailor had some kidney stones back when, he apparently had some "natural" stuff given to him by a homeopath (my dad swears by them occasionally though I think it's the high alcohol content in their concoctions that kinda seals the deal for him, it's not alcohol! it's medicine you foolish spawn!)...anyways the tailor was showing off his stones (don't sue me for bad puns) in his shop, in a jar a few weeks later. Turned me off from my fashion extravagances for quite some time but hey. This also might not be the best thread for your dilemma.
what is this natural stuff called?
