Alms Giving : Zakat

Muslims have to pay Zakat

Alms giving or Zakat in Arabic, is one of the most important Islamic pillars that involves worshiping of the Allah – the God -   throughout money contribution for Goodness.

Muslims know that their wealth doesn't belong to them but belongs to the God and the God ordered them to donate some of their wealth to less fortunate people. Islam Imposes that every adult person who has excess saving must share 2.5% of his savings for the poor.

In Arabic language, Zakat means purification as it purifies and clean Muslims wealth as well as their soul.

It refers to the purification of our wealth and soul. The wealth beatification denotes the mobilization of assets for the purpose of financial growth and justify distribution, and the purification of the soul implies freedom from hatred, jealousy, selfishness, uneasiness, and greed. Said Akmal Hanuk

According to OCHA – UN office for the coordination of humanitarian Affairs – Muslims spent 200 Billion to 1 Trillion U.S dollars in Zakat and Sadaqat – Voluntary Alms – This is equivalent to fifteen times of global human contribution in 2011.

Zakat helps in redistribution of the wealth between the society members which in turn decreases the gaps between the rich and the poor. In economic point of view, Zakat helps the poor to share positively in economic activities by increasing their purchasing power. Also it encourage Muslims to invest their Money otherwise it will depleted.

Adult male or female Muslim who are finically able, mentally stable must give 2.5% of their money when the money reaches the Nisab - is the minimum amount for a Muslim net worth to be obligated to give zakat – as Zakat.

• The Zakat must be donated to the poor "those who living without means of livelihood
• The needy, who can't meet life basic needs
• The Zakat collectors
• The people who are Sympathizers with Islam or want to convert to Islam.
• Zakat also used to free slaves who can't afford free themselves
• To reimburse debt for debtors
• And for the wayfarers, or the travelers.

Islam not only provides a strong ethical framework, but it provides a good economic aspect which helps positively in community building. For example in Ottoman times complete cities are build depending on Zakat, Sadaqat and Okaf, the religious endowments. These endowments was important reason for the golden age of Islam from 8th to 13th centuries.