Zakat-ul-Mal

Charity is a fundamental to Islamic practice, belief and spirit. Zakat-ul-Mal is one of those charitable principles as enshrined in the Five Pillars of Faith. Hence, it is compulsory for the believer. Zakat-ul-Mal is considered key to addressing problems of poverty and suffering. Muslims are obliged to donate certain portion of their annual earnings in the name of Allah SWT so that the needy and the sick can have a brighter future.

Scholars note that the word Zakat is derived from the verb “Zaka” meaning “to thrive”, “to be wholesome”, “to be pure”. The Qur’an states, “Of their wealth take alms to purify and sanctify them” (at-Tauba: 103). In other words, Zakat means “purification” as giving up a portion of one’s surplus wealth, is to “purify” or legalise it so that the remainder may lawfully and ethically be used by the alms giver.

Thus, Zakat-ul-Mal in spirit is an act of inner worship while in its external form it is the implementation of a social service. It is not a form of tax as is generally misunderstood but rather an act of religious sanctification. It is a form of worship, not a levy.

Zakat-ul-Mal’s importance is underscored by the fact that the Holy Qur’an treats it as on par with prayer. One example is this verse: “And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” (al-Baqarah: 43)

The paying of Zakat-ul-Mal follows certain guidelines and rules. It is at the rate of 2.5% on any surplus wealth remaining (eg cash, savings, investments, gold and silver) after meeting living expenses such as food, clothes, shelter, that has been held for over 13 months. As Zakat-ul-Mal is compulsory on those who can pay, it is important that it is calculated accurately.

According to the Holy Qur’an, Zakat-ul-Mal beneficiaries relate to:

*The 8x asnaf (ie recipients/causes for Zakat al-Maal)*


	Fiqh Terminology	translation 1 to English	translation 2 to the aid +development sector	types of deliverables relevant to the aid +development sector


1-	al-Masikiyn	the needy, destitute & dispossessed ^a	those (well) below the poverty line, the impoverished, survivors of disaster, IDPs, refugees.	Emergency relief, welfare assistance, health & medical aid, food aid.	^aie does not even have the means to survive for 1x day
2-	al-Fuqara	the poor	on/around the poverty line, endemicly poor, unemployed, under-employed.	Poverty reduction, livelihood (re)establishment, access to education & training, sustainable livelihoods, food security, health programs & systems, capacity building, micro-enterprise, micro-credit.	^b ie has the means just to survive for 1x day
3-	al-Aamiliyn alayha	executors of Zakat ul-Mal ^b	employees / workers / volunteers who administer & manage the collection / disbursement / implementation of Zakat ul-Mal funds	Running expenses of an INGO including staffing for administration, project design, implementation, monitoring, feedback, evaluation, & reporting.	^cThere is a built in discretion by the Aamileen alayha to disburse according to which of the categories (all or some) to disburse against, and how much (ie not necessarily equal proportions). Note: This refers not only to those who 'collect' but those who 'work for its proper functioning' in the sense of a diligent allocation and distribution of the fund.
4-	al-Muallafat al-Qulubuhum	reconcillees (or to 'win hearts')^c	non-Muslims whom 'protect' vulnerable Muslims; those whom avert hostilities & tensions between Muslims and others.	Public relations and communications; peace-building; supporting human/civil rights advocacy.	^dthese may include: 1- muslims wavering in faith, 2- non-muslims approaching Islam, and even, 3- non-muslims whom 'protect' Islam/Muslims, 4- averting hostilities and tension from non-muslims
5-	al-Riqah	enslaved ^d	bonded-labourers, indentured servants/labourers; child-labour; human trafficking [?]	Debt relief and livelihood programs.	^e literally "emancipation of the 'necks'
6-	al-Gharimiyn	those in debt and facing hardship.	those in debt and facing hardship, putting them (and other kin) at risk of impoverishment and exposure to further vulnerabilities	Debt relief, re-financing, micro-credit, no-interest loans, grants, affordable 'pawn-brokerage' [?].
7-	ibn al-Sabiyl	wayfarers in need ^f	IDPs, refugees, assylum -seekers (in or out of detention).	IDP and refugee assistance (eg camps, survival needs, repatriation, etc)	^fie wayfarers in need and facing unforseen dangers as a result
8-	fi Sabillillah	in His cause	Open	Open

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