Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Sir,

Please give all the details of Zakat.

Thanks & Regards,

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Answer:

Details of zakah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, to list in detail and do justice to all the aspects and variations of the obligatory worship of ‘zakah’ in Islam would require a full book, if not a volume of books!

What we can do for you here is give you an extremely basic overview of the duty of ‘zakah’, and if you have any specific questions regarding the subject of ‘zakah’ you may post your question on our website and we will strive out utmost to address your query in light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, Insha Allah.

Allah Subhanah has ordained the annual payment of ‘zakah’ as an obligatory rite of worship for every eligible believer (man, woman and child) . If the total nett or excess worth of any believer (man, woman or child) is more than the prescribed ‘nisaab’ of 7.5 tolas of gold (app. 85 grams or app. Value US$1,000.00), then the person is liable to pay the obligatory zakat @ 2.5% on their excess wealth which has been in her possession for a full calendar year.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 60:

60 Alms are for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth), for those in bondage and in debt, in the Cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Allah Subhanah has prescribed that ‘zakah’ should be paid to any of the above eight listed categoriesonly :

1. To the poor
2. To the needy
3. To those who are employed to administer the zakah funds
4. To those whose hearts have recently been reconciled to the Truth of Islam (new-muslims)
5. For those in bondage
6. For those in debt
7. In the Cause of Allah
8. To the way-farer or traveler

Allah Subhanah has Commanded and Guided the believers that ‘Zakaah’ dues may only be distributed to any amongst the above eight categories; for all other categories, one may spend through voluntary and supererogatory charity or ‘sadaqa’ but not through ‘Zakaah’ funds.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan