A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Zakat – Almsgiving
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Eight categories of people, eligible to receive
Zakat
, have been
specified in this verse of the Qur'an:
“Alms shall be used only for the advancement of God’s
cause, for the ransom of captives and debtors, and for
distribution among the poor, the destitute, wayfarers,
those that are employed in collecting alms, and those
that are converted to the faith. This is a duty enjoined
by God. He is Wise and All-Knowing.” (9:60)
Zakat
funds are to be spent, according to the Qur'an, on the poor
and the destitute, the wayfarer, the bankrupt, the needy, converts,
captives, collectors of
Zakat
and in the cause of God. The last
category allows Zakat funds to be used for the general welfare of
the community— for education of the people, for public works,
and for any other need of the Muslim community.
Zakat
in spirit is
an act of worship, while in its external form, it is the carrying out of
a social service.
Zakat
is thus not merely the payment of a tax, as it is generally
understood. It has indeed a great religious significance. Its
importance is underscored by the fact that the Qur'an treats it at
par with
salat
(prayer). The Qur'an frequently enjoins the believers,
‘to perform the worship and pay the
Zakat
.’ The Qur’an goes to
the extent of saying that one cannot attain righteousness unless
one spends out of one’s wealth for the love of God. In the words
of the Qur’an:
“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you
give of that which you love.” (3:92)
