Thursday, April 05, 2012

On Zakat and Jihad

Prompted by last night’s post about halal slaughter in Quebec, our European correspondent Lexington sends this brief summary of the connection between zakat and jihad:

It might help to refresh readers’ memories, or enlighten new readers, with the fact that one of the recipients of Zakat (‘alms’), the obligatory annual tax on all Moslems and Islamic financial transactions, is the Mujahideen — those who Fight for the Cause of Allah, i.e. those who wage Jihad. Perhaps some quotes from Reliance of the Traveller (‘Umdat al-Salik) would help:

Book O: Justice, Chapter 09.0: Jihad

(O: Jihad means to war against non--Muslims, and is etymologically derived from the word mujahada, signifying warfare to establish the religion…”) [It then lists verses from the Koran and Hadiths Bukhari and Muslim to support this]

and

H8.7 The Eight Categories of Recipients [of Zakat]

It is obligatory to distribute one’s Zakat among eight categories of recipients (O: meaning that Zakat goes to none beside them), one-eighth of the zakat to each share

[…]

H8.17 Those Fighting for Allah…meaning people engaged in Islamic military operations for whom no salary has been allotted in the army roster (O: but who are volunteers for jihad without remuneration). They are given enough to suffice them for the operation, even if affluent; of weapons, mounts, clothing and expenses (O: for the duration of the journey, round trip, and the time they spend there, even if prolonged. Though nothing has been mentioned here of the expense involved in supporting such people’s families during this period, it seems clear that they should also be given it.)”

— Lexington

10 comments:

Henrik R Clausen said...

Had a lot of fun explaining why Zakat is Bad a couple years ago :)

john in cheshire said...

Can't we call zakat what it is, in English? It's protection money. And thus named, it gives the correct association with organised crime.

Anonymous said...

This is not true. I have read the Koran from cover to cover and it si clearly stated that Zakat is for old people widows and orphans and the poor.

I have NEVER heard of zakat for Jihadists and we have given zzakat for generations.

Simply not true.

Anonymous said...

Hello Anonymous Muslim troll,

Zakāt is indeed used to fund the jihad because jihad is one of the most important Islamic causes - leading to the establishment of the ummah ruled by Sharia Law.

Egghead

"There are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to receive zakat funds, according to the Qu'ran:[17][18]

"Those living in absolute poverty (Al-Fuqarā')

"Those who cannot meet their basic needs (Al-Masākīn)

"The zakat collectors themselves (Al-Āmilīna 'Alaihā)

"Non-Muslims who are sympathetic to Islam or wish to convert to Islam.(Al-Mu'allafatu Qulūbuhum)

"People whom one is attempting to free from slavery or bondage. Also includes paying ransom or blood money (Diyah). (Fir-Riqāb)

"Those who have incurred overwhelming debts while attempting to satisfy their basic needs (Al-Ghārimīn)

"Those working for an Islamic cause (Fī Sabīlillāh)

"Travelers in need (Ibnus-Sabīl)

"Zakat may not be given to descendents of the prophet Muhammed, nor may it be given to parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, or spouses. It is also forbidden to disburse zakat funds to organizations that pay salaries to their employees, or use the money for investments.[19]

"Muslim scholars disagree whether the poor that qualify should include non-Muslims. Some state that Zakat may be paid to non-Muslims, but only after the needs of Muslims have been met.[19]

"Fi Sabillillah is the most prominent asnaf in Southeast Asian Muslim societies, where it broadly construed to include funding missionary work, Quranic schools and anything else that serves the community (ummah) in-general.[20]"

Zakāt

Anonymous said...

OOh Please Check your facts before you writting whats zakat is about. Wow when did zakat become giving to jihadist,thats is funy really for those who know the truth. And please stop spreading hate and false facts!

What`s Zaka??
Giving money for charity is highly commendable, and the sky is the limit, but Zakat is different because it is obligatory and is given in a calculated amount.
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakah does not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.

As Muslims pay the Zakat they have the genuine feeling that it is an investment and not a debit helping to establish economic balance and social justice in the society.

In general terms, what remains over and above the meeting of needs and expenses, and is hoarded for the full span of one year, is liable to Zakat. Zakat is the right of the poor in the wealth of the rich and is neither optional charity nor philanthropy.

Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption. Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 grams of gold (approx. $1400 in 1990) or more in cash or articles of trade, must give Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5%. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this religious duty. The contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so.

Anonymous said...

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim'. He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity'. The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What is he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good'. The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

Zakat is obligatory upon a person if :
He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim.
He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs).
It should be possessed for a complete lunar year.
It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc

SADAQAH
Sadaqah is voluntary contribution fi sabil al-Allah. Sadaqah may be given to mark and bring blessings at weddings, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, death or death anniversary, success in exams or business or any other occasion that makes you happy, sad or just grateful to Allah subhanu wa ta'ala. LIke smiling to your followers is sadaq. Helping muslim/non muslim is sadaqa.

The recipients of Zakat, according to Quran are as follows:
"Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; and for the wayfarer: (Thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom." (Quran 9:60)
FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab.

MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations.

AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government to collect Zakat.
MU-ALLAFATUL-QULUB: persons who have recently accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would help strengthen their faith.

AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to purchase their freedom on payment of fixed amounts.

AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do not possess any other wealth or goods with which they could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this debt was not created for any un-Islamic purpose.

Anonymous said...

IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during the course of their journey do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakat in order to fulfill travel needs to return home.

VIRTUES OF ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran:
"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261)
It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakat the following benefits are derived:
1)Gain the pleasure of Allah.
Increase in wealth and protection from losses.
2)Allah's forgiveness and blessings.
3)Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death.
A shelter on the Day of Judgment;
Security from seventy misfortunes.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran:
"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)

Now you know what`s zaka is about. salam/peace

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the first one,I think i sent one too many :-)

Anonymous said...

Hello Anonymous Muslim Troll,

Your dawah falls on deaf ears here.

Your false pedophile 'prophet' Mohammed - and his sad sick followers through the ages - have used zakat to fund mass murder, mayhem, gang rape, and pedophile rape among other organized crimes against humanity.

Egghead

"Da‘wah or Dawah (Arabic: دعوة‎) usually denotes the preaching of Islam. Da‘wah literally means "issuing a summons" or "making an invitation", being the active participle of a verb meaning variously "to summon" or "to invite" (whose triconsonantal root is د ع ى). A Muslim who practices da‘wah, either as a religious worker or in a volunteer community effort, is called a dā‘ī, plural du‘āt. A dā‘ī is thus a person who invites people to understand Islam through a dialogical process, and may be categorized in some cases as the Islamic equivalent of a missionary, as one who invites people to the faith, to the prayer, or to Islamic life.[1] Da'wah activities can take many forms. Some pursue Islamic studies specifically to perform Da'wah. Mosques and other Islamic centers sometimes spread Da'wah actively, similar to evangelical churches. Others consider being open to the public and answering questions to be Da'wah. Recalling Muslims to the faith and expanding their knowledge can also be considered Da'wah."

Dawah

Anonymous said...

"Hello Muslim troll"
That just shows how your lack of knowlegde. Yup I know the truth hurst...ouuchhh!
Since i showede you how wrong you`re now you`re trying to change subject...first of all..

1. we were not talking about dawah
2. I didn`t tried to give you dawah
3. The topic was about zaka and I tried to correct your false fact from your readers.
4. you`re so disrespectfull calling my prophet pedophile. Please debate like grown up person so you will come far with that. Now, I could say to you so much bad stuff but i won`t get on your level. Cos this something islam teaches me. To be kind to your followers no matter how bad a person can be.
"Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith." (Muslim)
"Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi)

Peace and love,Proud Norwegian muslima :-)