Islamic Year has just started…
There is an obligation which is repeatedly mentioned in quran. It is Zakat
Zakaat is payed after one year, if a person holds (more than) certain amount for a year. It is called nisaab. I hope most of the people are aware of this.
Clarification :
It is not allowed to pay Zakaat money(or any alms ,sadqa etc) to masjid for running and maintenance expense. It is the duty of muslims who attend that masjid and community to provide funds and take good care, regularly.
Also Zakaat can not be utilised for construction of masjid
The funds will be considered as Sadka-e-Jaria
For Zakat, First and most preferred recipients are close relatives who need it. That include every relative other than parents, wife and children ( even married brother and sister are eligible for zakaat if they are needy).
After that, other relatives and neighbors and general muslims.
Re: Important clarification !
Why not anyone who deserves?
Since according to the Deen, Zakawt and etcetera are meant to stabilise the justified distribution of wealth. Hence, strengthening the socio-economic structure of the region.
Then where does general muslims or only muslims come from?
Is Zakawt beneficial for society or only Muslims?
Re: Important clarification !
Islamic rules are based upon logic and common sense.
Is Zakawt beneficial for society or only Muslims?
Primary function of Zakat is to help those Muslims who not financially well-off. And this distribution of wealth should start from the origin of wealth and go far away.
Islam encourages its follower to pay frequent sadqaat(non-obligatory alms) without any discrimination of race and religion.
The logic behind ordering distribution from close kins and near ones, is to make sure that that resources are distributed first at the close proximity so that they don't feel left out and ignored, and work more towards development.
Not related to zakat but, to explain why, ignoring the above mentioned golden principal can be disastrous...
In Pakistan, Biggest natural resource was found in Sui (Blochistan). But after utilising these resources for decades, govt did not pay attention to the development of these areas which caused resentment and anger in the population and we are facing the consequences.
Islam, works with great wisdom. But we always go towards wrong direction :(
Re: Important clarification !
As it is Ramzan and people prefer to pay Zakat in this month here are few points
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Zakat is paid if anyone holds amount greater than or equal to nisaab ( roughly 90grams gold) for a complete year(as in business,saving,jewlery etc) then he/she has to pay 2.5 % of the total amount as Zakat to the people who are in need.
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First preference must be given to relatives, even if you dont like them you still have to help them if they are in need. Also, according to quran and hadees, it is forbidden to cut-off from relatives.
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After that needy neighbors and welfare organizations who help poor people.
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It is not neccesary to pay the zakat money at once. You can pay it monthy or quaterly or any convientient way, just have to calculate the ammount at year end and disberse accordingly.
Note that, zakat is an obligation and it should be calculated after a year …
other than that non-obligatory alms can be given to anyone at any time all year round. Giving frequent alm saves one from calamities.
Thankyou for reading. may Allah guide us all 