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What is Islam - eBook
4. One should not give zakaat to those who are not eligible to receive zakaat. If one gives zakaat to people, knowing that they are not eligible to receive zakaat, the obligation of zakaat will not be fulfilled. [1] However, if one gave zakaat to a person, considering him to be eligible for zakaat, but later came to know that he was not eligible, his zakaat will be fulfilled. [2]
5. When discharging zakaat, ensure that tamleek takes place (i.e. the recipient is made the owner of the wealth). If tamleek is not found, the zakaat will not be discharged. [3] For example, if one invites a poor person for a meal and allows him to partake of the food, the zakaat will not be discharged as he was not made the owner of the food. [4]
1. Shari’ah has made zakaat compulsory upon the person who possesses the amount of nisaab. The amount of nisaab will be calculated from all zakaatable wealth. One will not include the basic necessities of life in his zakaat calculation. The basic necessities of life are the house, car, furniture, items in use, etc. [1]
2. It is not permissible for one to give zakaat to his ascendants (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc) and descendants (e.g. children, grandchildren, etc). [2]
3. Zakaat has to be given to a recipient of zakaat. A recipient of zakaat is a poor Muslim who does not possess the nisaab of zakaat. [3] Hence, zakaat cannot be given to a musjid or madrasah, or to pay for the burial of a deceased, etc., as these are not recipients of zakaat. [4]
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered Madinah Munawwarah on the occasion of the hijrah, mounted on his camel, then every resident of Madinah Munawwarah desired to host and entertain Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his home.
However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to the people, “This camel is commanded from the side of Allah Ta‘ala to go where Allah Ta‘ala wants. Wherever she sits down with the decree of Allah, that is where I will stay.”
Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left the reins absolutely loose. He would not even nudge the animal with his blessed hand in any direction.
Tamleek
Tamleek is a fundamental requirement in the discharging of zakaat. Tamleek refers to transferring ownership of the wealth to the recipient of zakaat. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the zakaat will not be discharged.
Hence, zakaat cannot be used to pay for the building of a musjid, or for the lights and water of the musjid, or for the burial of a person, as in all these cases, the aspect of tamleek (giving ownership of the wealth to a poor person) is not found. [1]
After possessing the nisaab amount, if a person receives any additional wealth during the course of the year, then on the completion of the zakaat year, this additional amount will be included in his zakaatable assets, on condition that the additional wealth remained with him until his zakaat date. Hence, zakaat will be calculated and discharged on the entire amount that he possesses at the time of his zakaat date.
E.g. Zaid possessed R100 000. Zaid’s zakaat year ends on the 1st of Ramadhaan. A few days before the 1st of Ramadhaan, he received a lump sum of R1 000 000 in inheritance. Zaid will have to pay zakaat on the R100 000 as well as the R1 000 000.
Similarly, if his wealth decreased before his zakaat date, he will not have to pay zakaat on the amount that decreased. Rather, he will only pay zakaat on the amount which he possessed on his zakaat date.
E.g. Zaid possessed R100 000. Zaid’s zakaat year ends on the 1st of Ramadhaan. A few days before the 1st of Ramadhaan, he spent R50 000. Zaid will not have to pay zakaat on the R50 000 that he spent. Rather, he will only have to pay zakaat on the remaining R50 000.
When a person acquires wealth which equals the nisaab and the wealth remains with him for an entire lunar year from the first day he acquired the wealth, then zakaat becomes compulsory on that wealth. [1]
E.g. Zaid acquired R3 000 (which is the nisaab amount) on the first day of the lunar year (1st of Muharram 1434). This wealth remained with him for an entire lunar year. On the 1st of Muharram 1435, zakaat will be compulsory upon the wealth.
Hazrat Baraa bin Aazib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “I never saw the people of Madinah Munawwarah extremely happy over anything as much as they were overjoyed over the arrival of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, then out of happiness and delight at his arrival, the Abyssinians displayed their skill of spear throwing.”
The following types of wealth are regarded as zakaatable wealth (wealth upon which zakaat is payable):
1. Cash (including cash in the bank) [1]
2. The market value of the merchandise contained in the share of the company [2]
3. The market rate of the balance of stock in trade (including raw materials) [See 2]
4. Receivable amounts i.e. debts owed to a person, monies loaned to people, etc. [3]
5. Foreign currencies [See 1]
6. Gold and silver [4]
7. Face value of the financial papers such as bonds loaned to the government, etc. [See 3]
Note: It should be borne in mind that bonds loaned to the government is not permissible as it is an interest-bearing loan. However, if one had got involved in it, then when the loan is paid back by the government, it will only be permissible for one to retrieve the original amount of the loan given. The interest amount paid out by the government will be impermissible. It will have to be given in sadaqah without the intention of receiving any reward. Similarly, it should be known that it is impermissible for a believer to deal in any form of interest (usury) whether it be receiving or giving an interest-bearing loan.
Zakaat is fardh upon a person who meets the following criteria:
1. He is a Muslim
2. He is an adult (baaligh)
3. He is a sane person
4. He is a free person (not a slave)
5. He possesses zakaatable wealth which is equal to or exceeds the nisaab amount, and he possesses this wealth for an entire lunar year. [1]
Upon the completion of the Jumu’ah in Banu Saalim, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mounted his camel and continued in the direction of Madinah Munawwarah. He seated Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) directly behind him on the camel. A vast number of the Ansaar, armed with their weaponry, were walking to his right, to his left, in front of him and behind him.