Zakah: Definition and Meaning
Definition:
Zakah (زكاة) – Required almsgiving that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims with financial means are required to give 2.5 percent of their net worth annually as zakah. To practicing Muslims, zakah connotes the path to purity, comprehension of material responsibility, and an enhanced sense of spirituality.
Related Terms with Definitions:
- Sadaqah (صدقة): Voluntary charity given above and beyond the obligatory zakah.
- Nisab (نِصَاب): The minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must have before they are liable to pay zakah.
- Haul (حول): The lunar year period one must possess the nisab for before zakah is due.
Etymology: The term “Zakah” comes from the Arabic root “ز-ك-أ” (z-k-a), meaning to purify, grow, or bless.
Background: Zakah is beyond mere material assistance; it is deeply ingrained in the spiritual and social fabric of Islam. It serves not only to alleviate poverty but also to foster a sense of solidarity and responsibility among Muslims. The practice of zakah links the economic with the spiritual by purifying the giver’s wealth and soul.
Historical Facts and Dates:
- Zakah was established in the 2nd year of Hijra after the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Medina.
- Caliph Abu Bakr fought against those who refused to pay zakah after the Prophet’s demise, known as the “Apostasy Wars” or “Riddah Wars”.
Cultural Differences and Similarities: While the concept of mandatory almsgiving is unique to Islam, many cultures and religions emphasize charity as a virtuous act. Christianity has the concept of tithing, where believers donate a portion (traditionally one-tenth) of their income. Hinduism-born traditions often encourage ‘dana’ or the act of giving, particularly to the needy. The ethos remains similar across societies – aiding the less fortunate.
Synonyms:
- Charity
- Almsgiving
- Tithe
Antonyms:
- Hoarding
- Stinginess
- Avarice
Related Terms:
- Waqf: An endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, educational, or charitable cause.
- Kaffarah: An expiation or atonement for particular sins or broken oaths that can involve providing charity.
Exciting Facts:
- Zakah is calculated annually and is due on wealth that has been held for one complete lunar year.
- Some scholars interpret that paying zakah strictly encrypts with investing in social equity and justice.
Quotations:
- “Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, in secret and in public, they will have their reward from their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:274)
- “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (Tirmidhi)
Further Literature:
- “Relieving Dues: Zakat in Early Islamic Collection” by Wael B. Hallaq
- “Studies in Islamic Social Sciences” edited by Waheeda Amer
- “Islamic Finance: Principles and Practice” by Hans Visser
References:
- Quranic verses and Hadith collections.
- Scholarly articles and textbooks on Islamic Finance and charity.
- Historical records and legal texts regarding zakah in Islamic civilization.
Inspirational Thought: “Embedded in zakah is the reflection profound: What is ours, is but entrusted; what we give, endures resplendently.”
Sara Al-Rashid
October 3, 2023
As we delve deeper into the teachings and practices of Islam, it is evident that every aspect interweaves moral, social, and spiritual dimensions. Zakah, in particular, resonates as a beacon of compassion, duty, and reliance on the true Source of wealth. Let’s live enlightened by principles that sustain human dignity and divine grace.
Let’s keep exploring, learning, and purifying our souls.
