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An Overview of Zakat in Few Answers
Dear Islamic brothers in this piece of writing we will learn answers of these questions:
What is the significance of Zakat?
When did Zakat become Fard?
What is the Definition of Zakat?
What is the ruling on denying Zakat to be a Fard act?
What amount of Zakat will be given?
On whom is Zakat Fard?
What are the punishments of not giving Zakat?
Dear brothers! Zakat is the basic pillar of Islam and became Fard in 2 Hijri before the Siyam. 1/40th part of the Nisab (i.e. 2.5%) will have to be given as Zakat. It is proven from the Holy Quran that Zakat is Fard; one who denies it is a Kafir. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has stated, ‘The foundation of Islam is on five acts: To testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allahعَزَّ وَجَلَّ and Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is His Rasool; to offer Salah; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj; and to observe Sawm of Ramadan.’
(Bukhari/Kitab ul Iman)
The significance of Zakat can be observed by the fact that: Salah and Zakat have been mentioned together in the Holy Quran 32 times.
(Radd ul Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)
Besides this, the fortunate Zakat-giving person receives great blessings and benefits of this world and the Hereafter.
Zakat is Fard
It is proven from the Holy Quran and Sunnah that Zakat is Fard. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has stated in the Holy Quran:
وَ اَقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَ اٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ
Translation from Kanz-ul-Imaan: And establish (obligatory) prayer, and give Zakat.
(Part 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 43)
Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Na’eemuddin Muradabadi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ (who passed away in 1367 Hijri) has stated: This Ayah says about Salah and Zakat being Fard.
When the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ sent Sayyiduna Mu’aaz رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُtowards Yemen, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: Tell them that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has made Zakat Fard in their wealth; it should be taken from the wealthy people and given to the Fuqara [poor people.
(Tirmizi/Kitabuzakat)
Definition of Zakat
That wealth specified by Shari’ah is termed as Zakat from which a person discontinues his benefit in every manner and then for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ, it is given into the possession of such Muslim Faqeer [Shari’ah-declared poor person], who is neither Hashmi himself nor is he a slave freed by any Hashmi.
(Durr e Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)
On whom is Zakat Fard?
Giving Zakat is Fard on every such ‘Aaqil [sane] and Baligh [person who has reached puberty] Muslim who is not a slave and who meets the following conditions:
1 He owns Nisab.
2 This Nisab is Naami [growing in nature].
3 He has Nisab in his possession.
4 Nisab is exclusive of his Haajat-e-Asliyyah (i.e. basic necessities of life).
5 Nisab is exclusive of the money he owes (i.e. he should not owe the people such debt that his Nisab will no longer remain if he pays it).
6 A year passes on this Nisab.
(Bahar e Shariat)
Punishments of not giving Zakat
Not giving Zakat is a cause of destruction of wealth as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The wealth that has got destroyed in the land and sea, it has got destroyed because of not giving Zakat.
(Majma-ul-Zwaed/KitabulZakat)
At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: Wealth of Zakat will destroy the [wealth] in which it will be present.
(Shob-ul-Iman)
Explaining the abovementioned Hadith, Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali A’zami رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated, ‘Some great Ulama have stated the following meaning of this Hadith: If Zakat becomes Wajib on a person but he does not pay it and keeps it included in his wealth, this Haraam will destroy that Halal. Imam Ahmad رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated the following meaning: If a wealthy person takes Wealth of Zakat, this Wealth of Zakat will destroy his wealth as Zakat is for the Fuqara [poor people]. Both the meanings are correct.’
(Bahar-e-Shariat)
The nation which does not give Zakat can suffer from troubles collectively. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The nation which will not give Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ will make it suffer from drought.
(Al Moj-ul-Osat)
At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: When the people abandon paying Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ stops the rain. If quadrupeds were not present on the Earth, even a single drop of water would not fall from the sky.
(Ibn-e-Majah)
The person who does not give Zakat has been cursed, as Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has narrated: Rasoolullah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has cursed the one who does not give Zakat.
(Sahih Ibn-e-Khuzaimah)
Dear Islamic brothers! this is a very short writing for this important topic if you want to read details of it please visit our online book library and read many books on this topic you can also buy these books from Maktaba-tul-Madina.
May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ enable us to learn our Deen and to act upon its teachings! Ameen
13 Important Rulings Concerning Salam
Our religion Islam teaches us to greet our Muslim brothers with Salam. The command of replying to the Salam has even been given in the Holy Quran. Giving Salam is also a great Sunnah of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. Today, we will discuss a few important rulings regarding Salam such as, when it is compulsory to reply to a Salam and when is it not, How to reply to Salam in a letter, Where to say Salam and where not to, etc.
1. Returning the Salam of the Absent
When someone conveys another person’s Salam to you, reply with “علیک وعلیہ السلام” which means “Peace be upon you and him!”. Sayyiduna Ghalib رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُstates that we were sitting by the door of Sayyiduna Hasan Basri رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ. A man told us that my father sent me to the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَand asked me to convey his Salam in his blessed court. He further added, “I went to the court of the Noble Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَand humbly said, “O Master (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ)! My father sends his Salam to you. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَsaid, “علیک وعلی ابیک السلام” i.e. “Peace be upon you and your father!”
(Sunan Abi Dawood)
2. How should a Group Reply to Salam?
If some people are gathered somewhere and a new person comes and says “السَّلَامُ عَلَیْکُم”, the reply of one of them will suffice for the rest and if no one replies, then all will be considered sinful. If the person saying Salam addresses a specific person with his Salam or takes his name while saying Salam, then he will have to reply. It won’t be enough if someone else replies instead of him. Sayyiduna Ali کَرَّمَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی وَجْہَہُ الْکَرِیْم reports: When a passing person says Salam and one of the sitting people replies, it is enough on behalf of all of them.
3. Saying Salam to a Sleeping Person
Salam should not be given to the people who are sleeping. Instead, it should only be given to the people who are awake. Sayyiduna Miqdad رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُreports that when the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَwould come at nighttime, he would say Salam. He صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَwould not wake the sleeping ones and would only say Salam to those were awake. Hence, one day, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَcame and said Salam in the manner that he used to.
(Sahih Muslim)
4. Saluting with Fingers or Palm
Salam should only be said through the tongue and not by gesturing with fingers or the palm. It is reported that the Noble Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَsaid:
لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِغَيْرِنَا لاَ تَشَبَّهُوا بِالْيَهُودِ وَلاَ بِالنَّصَارَى فَإِنَّ تَسْلِيمَ الْيَهُودِ الإِشَارَةُ بِالأَصَابِعِ وَتَسْلِيمَ النَّصَارَى الإِشَارَةُ بِالأَكُفِّ
“He is not one of us who resembles other than us. Do not resemble the Jews nor the Christians, for indeed greeting of the Jews is pointing the finger, and the greeting of the Christians is with the hand.”
(Tirmidhi)
If someone replies to the Salam with his tongue and then gestures with his fingers or his hand, then there is no issue.
5. Give Salam Loudly
Salam should be given in a loud voice so that the greeted person may hear it.
6. Reply Instantly
It is compulsory to reply to the Salam instantly. If the reply is delayed without a valid reason, then it is a sin and it will not be forgiven only by replying, instead, repentance will also have to be made.
7. Reply Loudly
Reply should also be given in such a loud voice that the person saying Salam is able to hear it.
8. Giving Salam to a non-Muslim
Do not give Salam to a non-Muslim. If he says Salam to you, then it is not compulsory for you to reply to him. Just reply with “وعلیکم”.
9. Bowing for Salam
It is Haram (forbidden) to bow down to the extent of Ruku (Bowing down so much that one can touch his knees with his hands) while giving Salam. It is disliked (Makruh) if he bows less than that. Unfortunately, people nowadays usually bow down while giving Salam. However, there is no issue in kissing the hands of a pious person, in fact, it is reward-giving and it is not possible without bowing down. Here, it is necessary, whereas there is no need while giving Salam.
10. Returning the Salam of a Woman
Reply to old women may be given loudly, but if a young woman gives Salam, it should be replied in such a low voice that she does not hear it. However, it must be audible to the person replying.
11. Replying to a Written Salam
Sometimes, Salam is given in a letter, replying to it is also compulsory. It can be done in two ways: Firstly, he should reply with his tongue and secondly, write it back in the letter. However, since it is necessary to reply to Salam instantly and replying to a letter requires a little bit of time, so he should instantly reply with his tongue. When Sayyidi A’la Hazrat رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ would read a letter and السلام علیکم was written in it, he would first reply to the Salam with his tongue and then, would continue reading the letter.
12. Conveying Someone Else’s Salam
If someone asks you to convey his Salam to someone else, you should not reply to it right there as this reply holds no meaning. Instead, the person who has been given the Salam, you should say to him that so and so has given Salam to you.
13. Do Not Give Salam to These
When you enter a Masjid and the Islamic brothers are busy in reciting the Holy Quran, doing Zikr, reciting Durood (Salawaat) or sitting in wait for Salah, then do not give Salam to them. This is not the time of giving Salam and nor is it compulsory for them to reply. Also, do not give Salam to people who are studying, having an academic discussion or revising their lessons. In addition, do not give Salam to someone who is (1) in the toilet, (2) taking a shower without clothes on, (3) singing a song, (4) flying pigeons or (5) eating. Do not give Salam to any of these people. Even if someone says Salam to these people, replying to it is not compulsory for them.
May Allah enable us to remember and act upon these rulings of Shariah regarding Salam and grant us the benefits of Salam in this world and the hereafter!
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