A question on Zakah

unknownuser

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?

unknownuser

Salam Zainab,

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?

Yes you are right about the minimal amount. My understanding from the Quran of the obligatory "charity" or due to others is mainly based on verse 6141 so I make sure that every $ I earn, part of it goes to help in many ways the same day I recieve it, sometimes the amount is less, sometimes it is more depending on my financial needs at the time, but there is a minimum amount I force myself to give regardless of my situation because of the Quranic word "haqq" (right/due), but without creating too much hardship for myself.
It is worth noting, that everytime I gave the due, there has not been one time God theAll-Mighty did not return it to me double and multiplied, and it comes from where I don't expect it. Praises and thanks to theAll-Mighty. It proves that indeed there is no better investment than giving in the way of theAll-Mighty if we but know and as it came in Quran, indeed God returns it to us double and triple. Again, praises and thanks to the Bestower and the ONLY Bestower. Peace. Myr.

almarh0m

Salam Sis and Bros

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?

You are correct in saying that The Qur'an does not mention The Amount we should spend in Infaq or sadaqah. However , The Qur?n Tells us To spend/Give in charity what we can afford. Qur?n 6416 " fat taqullaaha mas tatha'tum................" , also elsewhere in surah al-Baqarah It is mentioned to give Infaq and sadaqah whatever amount according to The Sincerety of your heart .

My understanding of Giving Infaq and sadaqah as commonly known as 'Zakat' is that any amount without Limit according to the sincerity of my heart and my ability to give them. The First Priority is always The Orphans , then the Needy , but of Course Charity begins at Home with our Family , Neighbors and Friends

Peace and Cheers

Almarh0m

" He who Created me , It is he Who Guideme ".

AspeRin

i dont think putting a percent will be good. those are governments and people love governments,they like to be ruled and chose ,vote,compete against a contrary,hearing the lectures the candiates give to people and kind of idolize them,the whole government rush thing lol but this so called islamic nations have nothing islamic,if they had,alot of evil will be eliminated.
plus the quran says nothing about how much(as percentage) you would give,its up to you,and the best way(quran way) is to give according to what you have and not too much because you can see yourself poor quick.
like a sunni told me ,ohhhh how u suppost to know ho to make sakat if you dont have hadiths...nonsence,really quran tells us really clear.

unknownuser

Peace all,

There's NO percentage of charity and can NEVER BE. Charity is not equated or computed by mathematics and is NOT calculated on liquid currency solely by 2.5% or 20%. If people rely solely on Quranic adjudications as such without proper understanding reality, then they are certainly wrong. That is simply ridiculous and has absolutely no bearings. Charity (giving of alms or security) is entirely dependent on giving NEEDS to the needy and is a provision to help or relief the poor by any asset, be it money, clothes, food, shelter, toys, games, books, education, etc., or simply of any helping hand benefitting the need. One cannot rely solely on historical outdated/orthodoxical Quran to help the needy of THEIR TIMES rather than OUR TIMES!!! In plain words, there's no need to brag about 1400+ year old book being the Words of GOD just to help a needful, if you truely get my point. Live your life in reality as of current, not fantasy as of past.

unknownuser

Myr, almarh0m and AspeRin ... Salaam Alaikum and peace
Many thanks for your wise and helpful comments. Allah Bless.

Elke

Peace ,

aren't we confusing zakat - purity with sadaka here ?

The one verse i remember is to give the excess.

And danish - thanx for ur comment !

lk

unknownuser

Peace be upon you,

Exactly right, charity is "sadaqa", and we are told to give the excess. Zakaat is "purification".

unknownuser

Peace all,

841 You should know "Of anything you gain, that one-fifth shall go to God and the messenger, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the wayfarer." You will do this if you believe in God and in what We revealed to Our servant on the day of the Criterion, the day the two armies clashed. God is able to do all things.

2219 And they ask you how much are they to give, Say "The excess." It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think.

1729 And do not make your hand stingy by holding it to your neck, nor shall you lay it fully open so you become in despair and regret.

My understanding is that we have to give 20% of our net savings in the way of Allah, and out of the remaining excess we can give whatever we can as charity, provided we are neither too frugal nor too excessive as to incur hardship upon ourselves.

I am not clear if 841 is only about spoils of war or about ANY material gain. If it is about spoils of war then there is no fixed amount to be given as charity from our savings.

unknownuser

841 WaiAAlamoo annama GHANIMTUM min shay-in faanna lillahi khumusahu walilrrasooli walithee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waibni alssabeeli in kuntum amantum biAllahi wama anzalna AAala AAabdina yawma alfurqani yawma iltaqa aljamAAani waAllahu AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

"Ghanimtum" is derived from the root "GhNM"

According to Dictionary of The Holy Qur'aan by Abdul Mannan Omar

GHANIMA To obtain good things without difficulty, acquire or winning a victory, earn a thing without trouble, get a thing as a free gift, succeed without trouble.

GHANIMATUN Earning or a gain obtained without trouble; Spoil of war

The meanings seem to imply that "ghanima" is something obtaing WITHOUT TROUBLE OR DIFFICULTY. Spoils of war don't come easy or without trouble or difficulty. The context of 841 seems to imply that it is referring to spoils of war but don't spoils of war come only after great fighting and difficulty and putting one's life at risk ? Maybe it is referring to the spoils of war that other believers get for free, the one's not actually fighting the war.

Can "ghanimtum" be referring to something one gets as a free gift from someone else, like inheritance or cash or material gift from someone else, or spoils of war obtained by the non-combatants ? If that is the case, we are supposed to give 20% in the way of Allah of only something we get as free gift or inheritance or something obtained without difficulty. Any comments from any learned people with knowledge ?

unknownuser

841 WaiAAlamoo annama GHANIMTUM min shay-in faanna lillahi khumusahu walilrrasooli walithee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waibni alssabeeli in kuntum amantum biAllahi wama anzalna AAala AAabdina yawma alfurqani yawma iltaqa aljamAAani waAllahu AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

"Ghanimtum" is derived from the root "GhNM"

According to Dictionary of The Holy Qur'aan by Abdul Mannan Omar

GHANIMA To obtain good things without difficulty, acquire or winning a victory, earn a thing without trouble, get a thing as a free gift, succeed without trouble.

GHANIMATUN Earning or a gain obtained without trouble; Spoil of war

The meanings seem to imply that "ghanima" is something obtaing WITHOUT TROUBLE OR DIFFICULTY. Spoils of war don't come easy or without trouble or difficulty. The context of 841 seems to imply that it is referring to spoils of war but don't spoils of war come only after great fighting and difficulty and putting one's life at risk ? Maybe it is referring to the spoils of war that other believers get for free, the one's not actually fighting the war.

Can "ghanimtum" be referring to something one gets as a free gift from someone else, like inheritance or cash or material gift from someone else, or spoils of war obtained by the non-combatants ? If that is the case, we are supposed to give 20% in the way of Allah of only something we get as free gift or inheritance or something obtained without difficulty. Any comments from any learned people with knowledge ?

Salaams and thanks for this clarification, dear brother. Generally one would presume that spoils of war cannot come easily, but that depends. Sometimes conquests take place with the minimal of fighting, sometimes with no fighting at all, like the conquest of Mekkah. Your observation about "referring to the spoils of war that other believers get for free, the one's not actually fighting the war" might be correct.

However, the interpretation that seems clearest to me is as follows
Of the total amount of booty acquired, one-fifth belongs to the state for distribution to the needy by the Messenger. The rest to be divided among the general public. The first sentence of this verse that says "..... of all the booty that ye may acquire ....." or "....... whatever ye take as spoils of war ..." does not refer to a single individual but refers to the entire army that has acquired the total amount of booty. Therefore, I don't think this verse refers to zakah or sadaqa. It is simply mentioning the break-up in terms of the distribution of the booty. And Allah knows best.

Kindly check the different translations below.

And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war) a fifth share is assigned to Allah and to the apostle and to near relatives orphans the needy and the wayfarer if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the day of testing the day of the meeting of the two forces. For Allah hath power over all things. (841) Al-Anfal. Translation Yusuf Ali

And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsmen (who hath need) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer; if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Discrimination, the day when the two armies met. And Allah is Able to do all things. (841) Al-Anfal. Translation Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

And know that whatever of war-booty that you may gain, verily one-fifth (1/5th) of it is assigned to Allah, and to the Messenger, and to the near relatives , (and also) the orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer, if you have believed in Allah and in that which We sent down to Our slave (Muhammad SAW) on the Day of criterion (between right and wrong), the Day when the two forces met (the battle of Badr) - And Allah is Able to do all things. (841) Al-Anfal. Translation Muhsin Khan

unknownuser

Peace sister Zainab,

Thanks for sharing your understanding, it makes sense. The basic premise would be to give only from the EXCESS as you mentioned.

Regards,

Tanveer

unknownuser

Peace sister Zainab, all,

I was reading the context of 841 when I came across 81

PM They ask you regarding the spoils of war (al-anfaal), Say "The spoils of war are for God and the messenger." So be aware of God, and be upright in matters between you; and obey God and His messenger if you are believers.

Pickthal They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.

Yusuf Ali They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say "(such) spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves Obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe."

Here Allah has used the word "al-anfaal" for spoils of war. It seems that acording to 81 ALL spoils of war belong to the islamic government. Are we sure that "ghanimtum" in 841 refers to spoils of war also ? I understand that the context is war but wouldn't "ghanimtum min shay-in" in 841 be referring to ANY material gain earned/obtained by us in form of FREE GIFT, or earned/obtained WITHOUT TROUBLE OR DIFFICULTY ? For example, cash gifts, inheritance etc., from which we will have to give 20% to the government, relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer.

If Allah was referring to spoils of war in 841 wouldn't He have used "al-anfaal" instead of "ghanimtum" ? Why did He use a different word ? The meaing obviously has to be different.

The same word "ghanimtum" has been used in 869 also

PM So consume what you have gained (ghanimtum), lawful and good, and be aware of God. God is Forgiving, Merciful.

Pickthal Now enjoy what ye have won, as lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

That reinforces the meaning of "ghanimtum" as something earned/obtained as free gift, or without trouble/difficulty. Maybe "ghanimtum" refers to spoils of war received by the non-combatants without any trouble or difficulty. So ALL spoils of war (al-anfaal) go to the government, out of which a portion is distributed to the muslims in the community, and maybe that portion is referred to as "ghanimtum", because it was obtained by those people without any trouble/difficulty, and then from that portion they have to give 20 % to the government or the relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer.

Any comments from anyone ?

unknownuser

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?

Peace sister

In fact the Quran told us directly that in our money there is Haqq for the poor and needy

YUSUFALI And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy,) him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking).

PICKTHAL And in their wealth the beggar and the outcast had due share.

SHAKIR And in their property was a portion due to him who begs and to him who is denied (good).

(19)

-> Can?t get clearer than this sister, 5119 is describing the true believers and it tells us about them that IN THEIR MONEY THERE IS A HAQQ for the poor and needy, that Haqq must be a portion of their money, it can?t be anything but that, and it is a Haqq, i.e. a MUST

-> I believe the percentage of the Haqq in our money was left open by Allah so the many generations can adjust it as life and its cost change as well the percentage of poverty is always changing indeed.

Salam

unknownuser

Peace sister Zainab, all,

I was reading the context of 841 when I came across 81

PM They ask you regarding the spoils of war (al-anfaal), Say "The spoils of war are for God and the messenger." So be aware of God, and be upright in matters between you; and obey God and His messenger if you are believers.

Pickthal They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.

Yusuf Ali They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say "(such) spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Messenger So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves Obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe."

Here Allah has used the word "al-anfaal" for spoils of war. It seems that acording to 81 ALL spoils of war belong to the islamic government. Are we sure that "ghanimtum" in 841 refers to spoils of war also ? I understand that the context is war but wouldn't "ghanimtum min shay-in" in 841 be referring to ANY material gain earned/obtained by us in form of FREE GIFT, or earned/obtained WITHOUT TROUBLE OR DIFFICULTY ? For example, cash gifts, inheritance etc., from which we will have to give 20% to the government, relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer.

If Allah was referring to spoils of war in 841 wouldn't He have used "al-anfaal" instead of "ghanimtum" ? Why did He use a different word ? The meaing obviously has to be different.

The same word "ghanimtum" has been used in 869 also

PM So consume what you have gained (ghanimtum), lawful and good, and be aware of God. God is Forgiving, Merciful.

Pickthal Now enjoy what ye have won, as lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

That reinforces the meaning of "ghanimtum" as something earned/obtained as free gift, or without trouble/difficulty. Maybe "ghanimtum" refers to spoils of war received by the non-combatants without any trouble or difficulty. So ALL spoils of war (al-anfaal) go to the government, out of which a portion is distributed to the muslims in the community, and maybe that portion is referred to as "ghanimtum", because it was obtained by those people without any trouble/difficulty, and then from that portion they have to give 20 % to the government or the relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer.

Any comments from anyone ?

Salaam Alaikum brother tanveer ..

As for verse 81, it simply mentions that spoils of war belong to the state. And verse 841 goes further in mentioning the amount that has to be given to the state for distribution among the needy. I think verse 841 portrays very clearly that that portion of one-fifth or 20% of the spoils is the share of the state. It very obviously does not refer to the share of charity of those who receive the booty. Like I mentioned earlier, the word "ye" or "you" in verse 841 does not refer to a single person. Rather it's used in a collective sense, meaning the forces or army that conquer a land and thus become eligible to acquire booty. And again, this makes sense as conquests are carried out not by one person but by a whole army. Besides, it's quite unthinkable that Allah would command people to give an amount as large as 20% in charity. That would over-burden the commoners too much, and with regard to charity Allah never places any hardships for people. For that reason, even the amount of 2 and a half percent zakah or sadaqa comes from hadeeth or fiqh, not the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan has kept it open so that everyone can give in accordance with their financial means, and with a sincere heart.

"Al-Anfaal" as you explained correctly means spoils of war . "Ghanimtum" means gift acquired easily which can also be used in the broader sense as spoils of war. After all, in all languages we will find that very often a single word can be used in two, three or four different contexts. For example, "booty" in English can mean goods acquired by an army through an officially declared war, or it can also mean goods acquired through plunder & pillage of anti-social elements. So, to determine which meaning it carries in a particular sentence, we simply need to keep in mind the social, historical or political context of the material we are reading. Therefore, in my opinion, it's important to be aware of this rule of flexibility.

With regard to verse 841, as you can see, all recognized translators have used the words "spoils of war" or "booty." The person I spoke to who's extremely well versed in Arabic said exactly the same.

And of course, Allah would know best as to why He chooses certain words for certain occasions.

Peace .....

unknownuser

Peace sister

In fact the Quran told us directly that in our money there is Haqq for the poor and needy

YUSUFALI And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy,) him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking).

PICKTHAL And in their wealth the beggar and the outcast had due share.

SHAKIR And in their property was a portion due to him who begs and to him who is denied (good).

(19)

-> Can?t get clearer than this sister, 5119 is describing the true believers and it tells us about them that IN THEIR MONEY THERE IS A HAQQ for the poor and needy, that Haqq must be a portion of their money, it can?t be anything but that, and it is a Haqq, i.e. a MUST

-> I believe the percentage of the Haqq in our money was left open by Allah so the many generations can adjust it as life and its cost change as well the percentage of poverty is always changing indeed.

Salam

Yes brother, absolutely. I know this. The act of charity for the poor and deserving has been highlighted greatly in the Qur'aan. I only meant to ask how the Muslim law makers decided upon the amount of 2 and a half % for zakah. I also put this question to an ulema yesterday and he too wasn't sure of the source. He was only sure that the source of this figure of 2 and a half % was not the Qur'aan. He said it might be either hadeeth or fiqh.

Wa'Salaam .. peace.

unknownuser

Peace sister Zainab,

I agree that the 2 1/2 % figure has no basis from al-qur'aan.

Besides, it's quite unthinkable that Allah would command people to give an amount as large as 20% in charity.

I did not imply that the 20 % is from the regular savings from the income acquired by working for it. It is only from the "free gifts acquired easily without trouble or difficulty", and therefore would not be a burden IF it is excess to the needs of an individual. Again, I think that 20 % of "ghanimtum" would be applicable ONLY if the "ghanimtum" is IN EXCESS of the needs/expenses of the individual receiving it. The EXCESS RULE of 2219 supersedes all other rules pertaining to what to give.

After all, in all languages we will find that very often a single word can be used in two, three or four different contexts. For example, "booty" in English can mean goods acquired by an army through an officially declared war, or it can also mean goods acquired through plunder & pillage of anti-social elements. So, to determine which meaning it carries in a particular sentence, we simply need to keep in mind the social, historical or political context of the material we are reading. Therefore, in my opinion, it's important to be aware of this rule of flexibility.

I agree, but the situation here is not determining which meaning one word carries in a particular sentence, but determining if TWO WORDS have the SAME meaning or DIFFERENT meanings in the SAME CONTEXT.

In my understanding "al-anfaal" cannot be the same as "ghanimtum" and the two words are referring to two different things, as according to 81, ALL (100 %) of "al-anfaal" are for Allah and His messenger, whereas according to 841 only 20 % of "ghanimtum" is for Allah, His messenger, relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer.

Mentioning of "relatives, orphans, poor, wayfarer" IN ADDITION to Allah and His messenger in 841 clearly means that the recipient of 20 % of "ghanimtum" are Allah and His messenger (the government), AND relatives, AND orphans, AND poor, AND wayfarer, not just Allah and His messenger as "al-anfaal", and that it is left upto the recipient of "ghanimtum" how much out of the 20 % to give to each of those categories. What I mean is it is left upto the recipient of "ghanimtum" to decide the distribution among the given categories, and not the government. That is confirmed in 869 where again the recipient of "ghanimtum" is being asked to consume it, and not the government. That makes "ghanimtum" totally different from "al-anfaal" which is left upto the government to decide how to use it and who to give it to, as it belongs to the government.

Thus it seems that "al-anfaal" is the "spoils of war", and ALL (100 %) for Allah and His messenger, and "ghanimtum" is the "free gifts acquired easily" given by the government FROM "al-anfaal" to the members of islamic community, and from that "ghanimtum", the recipients are being asked to give 20 % to the government, AND needy relatives, AND orphans, AND poor, AND wayfarer.

Your understanding that "al-anfaal" and "ghanimtum" refer to the same meaning would be correct only if in 81, relatives, orphans, poor, and wayfarer were also mentioned as recipients in addition to Allah and His messenger as in 841.

What do you think dear sister ? The spirit is to seek the truth, not impose my understanding. Comments from others are invited also.

Peace

unknownuser

Yes brother, absolutely. I know this. The act of charity for the poor and deserving has been highlighted greatly in the Qur'aan. I only meant to ask how the Muslim law makers decided upon the amount of 2 and a half % for zakah. I also put this question to an ulema yesterday and he too wasn't sure of the source. He was only sure that the source of this figure of 2 and a half % was not the Qur'aan. He said it might be either hadeeth or fiqh.

Wa'Salaam .. peace.

Peace sister

of course they got it from the hadith of the prophet, however that was 1400 years ago, and 2.5% sopund too low to me now days

Allah know best

Salam

unknownuser