what is zakat what is its importance in islam why should we pay it?

Question

i want to know about islam plz give me about deep information

Answer 1

The third pillar: zakaah (poor due, charity tax)

Just asAllaah has created people with different colours, attitudes and levels of knowledge, so too their deeds and provision vary. He has made some of them rich and some poor, to test the rich as to whether they show gratitude, and to test the poor as to whether they are patient. Because the believers are a brotherhood, and brotherhood is based on compassion, kindness, love and mercy, Allaah has enjoined upon the Muslims zakaah which is taken from the rich and given to the poor. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them”[al-Tawbah 9:103]

Zakaah purifies and cleanses wealth, and purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness. It strengthens the love between the rich and poor, takes away hatred, makes security prevail and brings happiness to the ummah happy.

Allaah has made the payment of zakaah obligatory upon everyone who owns the nisaab (minimum amount) for one year. The rate of zakaah on gold, silver, other metals and trade goods is one quarter of ten percent. On agricultural produce and fruits the amount is one-tenth if it is irrigated (by artificial means), and one-half of one-tenth if it is not irrigated (by artificial means, i.e., it is watered by rainfall or other natural means). Concerning an’aam animals (i.e., sheep, goats, cattle and camels) the details are explained in the books of fiqh… Whoever pays zakaah, Allaah expiates his sins thereby, and blesses his wealth, and stores up for him a great reward. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah, and whatever of good (deeds that Allaah loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allaah. Certainly, Allaah is All-Seer of what you do”[al-Baqarah 2:110]

Withholding zakaah brings disasters and evils upon the ummah. Allaah has threatened those who withhold it with a painful torment on the Day of Resurrection. He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allaah (i.e. Allaah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism). And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al‑Kanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allaah, announce unto them a painful torment.

On the Day when that (Al‑Kanz: money, gold and silver, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) ‘This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard’”

[al-Tawbah 9:34-35]

Concealing one’s zakaah is better than paying it openly in front of people, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allaah) will expiate you some of your sins. And Allaah is Well-Acquainted with what you do [al-Baqarah 2:271]

When a Muslim pays his zakaah, it is not permissible for him to give it to anyone except those whom Allaah mentions in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”[al-Tawbah 9:60]

for more info about 5 pillars click here
http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13569&ln=eng

Answer 2

Zakat is one of the pillars (major rules) of Islam. Any sin can B forgiven by Allah, but it is known that if U do not follow the 5 pillars of Islam than U R definitely not a Muslim.

The main thing is
Zakat requires 4 a person to pay money for the needy annually in a specific date. U should pay 2.5% of U'r blessings.

Zakat is required only by people who can afford to pay it. Allah will forgive people for not paying Zakat if they cant afford it

Answer 3

Zakat is basically a tax for and distributed to poor people.
Any one who has x amount of money held in his possession for full twelve months has to pay 2.5% of that amount to purify that wealth in spiritual sense. God will forgive his sins and will bless his all wealth. There is no zakat on the house, jewlery, business, vehicle etc., that he uses regularly. Zakat is only on extra wealth. If his wealth keep increasing he will be paying 2.5% on same wealth on which he paid last year plus on what he had additional wealth the following year. If his wealth reduces for any reason then he will pay on the total of reduced wealth.
When Muslims had their own empire before western countries colonized their countries, they had more zakat collection than people needed. Then excess money was used to pay off debts of people, paid for wedding expenses of poor families, building public service places like huge hotels for travellers giving free food and lodgings, drinking water available on the roads, shaded places for resting. All Mosques, and schools were also given that money.

Answer 4

Zakat is a percentage payment on the monetary things you own. All Muslims are bound to pay Zakat. It is one of the pillars of Islam. Zakat is helping Muslims who are not as furtunate as others. It is a very good system to help other brother Muslims and it is not counted as charity.........

Answer 5

Zakat is the 3rd pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for Muslims to give 2.5 percent of their wealth. The importance of zakat is to help those who are needy. The term means blessings, purification, increase and goodness. Zakat is paid on bank notes, gold, silver, cattle, crops etc. In Surah Taubah verse 103, Allaah says: "Of their goods, take alms that so thou might purify and sanctify them and pray on their behalf. Verily prayers are a source of security for them." Ibn Taimiah has said "the soul of the one who gives zakat is blessed and so is his wealth." Also, Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him, has said to Mu'adh when he sent him to Yemen as govenor, "Tell them that Allaah has made zakat obligatory for them. Take from the rich and give it to the poor." I can give you some nice authentic sites. Email me if interested.

Answer 6

Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam.The word zakat occurs several times in the Quran and with the exception of a few verses, it is always mentioned with Salat. Zakat ensures a steady Gow of wealth from the rich to poor and helps in lattering their ecnomic condition. The holy Quran contains several warnings for those who do not pay zakat .

Thanks

Answer 7

Zakat is designed by Allah (SWT) to alleviate poverty among the Ummah. Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories of people. If Zakat is paid regularly and correcty, the poverty will reduce if not eradicated .

Answer 8

What Is Zakat

Answer 9

zakat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam...things a muslim should do...if they have ability to do it.....zakat is the act of giving food,clothings etc to the poor around you.....you have to give a certain percentage of your wealth as alms to the poor...as a tax to God...if you will :D.....for giving you your wealth......the poor or people who don't have considerbale wealth don't need to give...and don't worry the percentage (which i have forgotten) is not much...even lower middle class famillies give zakath at one point in time......think of the economical benefits...:D......the sister of zakath is sadakah....to even smile at a stranger is considered sadakt....and it can be done at anytime and can take any form.....zakath falls at one point every year....so every muslim family as a unit give zakath at that point in time....

Answer 10

though i am not a muslim but i study it...

Zakat is an obligatory donation to the poor and needy. it is one of the five pillars of islam...

Answer 11

The rationale behind this is that Muslims believe that everything belongs to God, and wealth is held by man as a trust. This trust must be discharged, moreover, as instructed by God, as that portion of our wealth legally belongs to other people and must be given to them.