Zakat: An Ancient Islamic Ritual in Modern Times - Essay Sample

Introduction

Zakat is among the oldest Islamic rituals that were in the shariah of the ancient prophets. Zakat first applied at the times of prophet Muhammad. At the ancient city of Islam, Zakat was viewed as a willingly giving, and it was much of a companionable offering, and people had the right to decide what, and the proportion to give as Zakat. The view and definition of Zakat in Islam changed when prophet Muhammad first appeared in Madina in the second year of Hijra (Abdullah and Ahamed 539). During this time, the meaning of Zakat had to transform, and it now became a requirement for every Islamic member to give Zakat. There were clear rules in the Madinan the defined how Zakat was to be given by the Islamic members. During those ancient times, the prophet Muhammad gave responsibilities to Zakat workers who collected the payment and also had the responsibility of distributing the collected Zakat.

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It is not explicitly measured in the Qur’an the exact type of wealth to be given out as Zakat. In some cases, the Qur’an generally provide details about Zakat without giving out further explanations about the Zakat to be offered. Some examples of items to be offered as Zakat are: Fruits and crops gathered from the field, Silver and Gold, Earnings gained from trading activities, and all wealth acquired under the Earth. The Qur’an generally defines, Zakat, and in some cases, the word Amwai is used. Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad provides the directives and several examples and details of the Qur’ ans expectations and commands concerning Zakat. Muhammad uses the Sunnah to convert the rules of Zakat in the Qur’an into a living reality situation. In Islam, Prophet Muhammad is believed to be the man who has an excellent knowledge about what Allah ordained, and what He expects from human beings. Through the Sunnah, Muslims can know what is expected of them concerning giving Zakat. The Sunnah also gives a clear definition of the type of people expected to benefit from the Zakat offered by Islamic believers.

The Purpose of Zakat

The prime reason why the Qur’an recommends Muslims to pay Zakat is to create an economic balance in society. The other reason for paying Zakat is to prevent the poor from suffering or dying. It is a must to pay Zakat if Muslims have wealth that is measurable and can be calculated in monetary terms example is gold and silver. Zakat and offering prayers have been emphasized many times in the Qur’an. Zakat plays an essential role in attaining economic balance in the society since it facilitates wealth circulation from the fortunate to the less fortunate. Hence wealth does not stick to the rich only (Mohammed, Ummulkhayr, and Yusuf 103). Through the sharing of wealth from the rich to the unfortunate, many evils are prevented in society. Zakat is the Islamic community is also a way of wealth purification since sharing brings blessings from Allah. Despite stabilizing the economic condition, Zakat also plays a role in ensuring that every member of the social benefits through the wealth shared.

It is a requirement by the Qur’an for the rich to pay Zakat, which will enable bridging of the wealth gap between the rich and the poor, and this will ensure that all humans enjoy their rights. The Zakat also plays a massive role in bringing into shape the characters of the rich in the society. And also promote brotherhood and unity in the society as the rich become selfless and away from greed. It is essential to be hardworking and have the dedication to become wealthy, so when individuals share, it shows that they have a strong faith in Allah.

Muslims need to calculate the amount required to give as Zakat to the poor at regular intervals. While calculating the amount of money to pay as Zakat, all the government taxes are excluded. Other personal monetary uses, such as living expenses, debts, and house rents, should be included in Zakat calculations. In case an individual is not aware of any suffering person who might need the Zakat, he/she is advised to take the money to either a mosque or any organization that is responsible for performing charity work in the society. Such as providing services to the poor and the sick in the community. In Islam, the charity offered to a charity institution, mosque, or hospitals should be called Sadaqa. The Qur’an emphasizes to Muslims that they cannot have righteousness unless they are willing to sacrifice and give to charity what they love and treasure. Muslims are advised to be humble while giving charity, and not acting like they are performing favors to the needy since, in Islam, pride reduces the right actions. While paying Zakat, Muslims are recommended to do it with the utmost respect to Zakat’s receiver. The holy book warns Muslims Against boasting when they have offered charity to the poor.

Islamic religion recommends giving the poor what the givers would accept to be given if they were the ones suffering (Smith 247). Many people in society usually give out to the poor what they feel is not essential in their lives. The Qur’an strongly forbids the action of giving out to the poor what is not of importance. Muslims are required to give the better things they earn in life to charity. When giving out charity, Muslims are advised to reduce their ego, become selfless, and straightforward. Life is too short on Earth, and it is determined by Allah only. When death comes, it is impossible to request for another chance to live and do good. It is advisable to use Allah’s precious opportunity to do good, and this comprises of giving charity donations to the poor and the suffering in society.

The Process of Zakat Collection and Distribution

There are zakat committees formed whose responsibilities are to monitor the collection and distribution of Zakat given out by Islamic believers. Several guidelines monitor Zakat collection and distribution, and they include:

Ensuring the process of Zakat collection is a lengthy bureaucratic process. Poor Muslims should not be involved in the long process of Zakat collection and distribution. The process of Zakat should be made to be short and ensure that every needy Muslim in the community gets what he/she needs on time.

Efficient preparation for emergencies. It reaches a point in life where an individual of the community needs money urgently, and hence there is no need to wait for Zakat to be collected then be distributed to deal with the current issue. In situations where the money is urgently needed, the Imam, who is the president of the committee, should ensure that money is given immediately.

They were considering that the needy are not only those who ask for help. The holy book mentions in some chapters that there are some people as a result of their modesty despite being in need cannot ask for help. Those people usually have do not fill a form for help at the Masjid since they want to keep their suffering private. It is the Imam’s responsibility and the members of the Zakat committee to seek out those people and give them help.

They are putting themselves in the shoes of the suffering. Ordinarily, many people tend to feel so great when they are giving help compared to when they are receiving. One needs to keep him/herself in the shoes of those receiving help and treat them with the respect and compassion that they deserve.

They are keeping confidentiality. It is a requirement not to disclose the names of the Zakat beneficiaries publicly. An individual should not disclose the information even to his/her family members or friends.

The Qur’an clearly defines how Zakat should be distributed among the needy members of society. While giving Zakat, the needy in the society are guaranteed to enjoy their rights. The Qur’an has given Muslims an option to pay their Zakat to the institutions that perform the duties of distributing the Zakat given to members of the society who fall to the Eight categories of the Zakat neediness. The following are the eight areas where Zakat goes: The poor in the society, meaning those who have a low income compared to their needs. Secondly, the needy in society and this comprises of those people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Thirdly, the Zakat commissioners. Fourthly, the new members who join the Muslim community. Fifthly, those people who are in bondage, and this comprises of captives and the slaves. Sixthly, those people who are not able to finance their debts, Seventhly, those people who are traveling, they do not have enough resources for their journeys. Finally, those in the cause of God.

Any sane Muslim who has attained puberty is required by the Qur’an to give Zakat if they attain the minimum amount required, which is referred to as the Nisab. An individual’s year of paying Zakat should commence on the day that his/her wealth exceeds or equals the Nisab. There should be calculation and payment of Zakat at the Hawl, which is after the passage of one lunar year. Sometimes people forget the days they first owned Nisab; in these cases, estimation is recommended. In cases where it is not possible to estimate the date, a specific date from the Islamic calendar is randomly selected, it should be followed after every year. According to the Islamic faith, paying Zakat during Ramadhan’s holy month is not essential; however, proving charity to the needy during this month assures Muslims greater rewards.

Is Zakat Payment Still Performed?

The month of Ramadhan is essential to the Muslims since, in this month, Muslims are required to have personal reflections and attend family gatherings; the most important is to sacrifice. In the month of Ramadhan, Muslims are required to give Zakat since they believe the person who gives to the poor will be cleansed due to their act of self-denial. Though giving Zakat, Muslims help in the contribution of economic development, hence promoting sustained community development. The Islamic religion has Five primary goals referred to as Maqasid al-Sharia, and they are the protection of wealth, the Islamic religion, protection of life, progeny, and finally, protection of intellect.

Zakat forms one among the Five strongholds of the Islamic faith, and Muslims must give to the poor. All Muslims who have attained the minimum requirements needed to qualify for paying Zakat is expected to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to help the poor in society. According to the Islamic faith, giving Zakat is the most significant form of wealth transfer from the rich to the poor that is available. Zakat is usually given out in an informal way between members of society. However, over the past years, there has been the growth of the Islamic organizations that deal with the more significant issues affecting society, such as reducing poverty campaigns that have reached a bigger audience. It is essential to change society’s mindset to view the Zakat as a more prominent platform that requires a more specialized administration for more significant community development instead of looking at it as a charity. The change in how the more significant Muslim community perceives Zakat would have a greater positive effect on Zakat, especially in most Asian and African continents where the majority of the Muslims are poor.

Works Cited

Abdullah, A, and O Ahmed. “Determinants of Intention to Give Zakat on Employment income: Experience from Marawi City, Philipines.”Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, vol. 10, no. 4, 2019, pp. 528-545.

Mohammed, R, A Ummulkhayr, and O Yusuf. “Determinants of Zakat Compliance Behavior Among Muslims Living Under Non-Islamic Governments.” International Journal of Zakat, vol. 2, no. 1, 2017, pp. 95-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.22373/share.v8i1.3655

Smith, H. The World’s Religion. Harper Collins e-books, 1986