Matric Notes Islamiat Ch 5 Zakat Obligation, Importance, and Distribution Question Answers

To view other notes of Islamiat 9th. Click Here.

Q.1) What is Zakat? Who are under obligation to pay Zakat?

Answer: Zakat:

Zakat means making something pure by removing harmful substances. It also means to get nourished or grow. In religion it means to purify the wealth by giving away its certain percentage as charity to the poor. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) described Zakat as wealth taken from the rich and given to the poor. Zakat is also called poor rate or poor tax. Technically it is an annual tax for the imposed on the rich people and is paid to the poor. It is accumulated as a surplus at the expiry of full one year.

Obligation:

Zakat is a compulsory religion tax imposed on any person who is sane, free, adult and a Muslim provided that his property or income is to the extent of Nisab. Nisab is someone’s minimum fixed property or income on which Zakat is due and which has been in his profession for their period of one complete year. Zakat is payable not only on cash but also on jewellery, gold, silver, animals, agricultural land, crops and all kinds of commercial goods. The Nisab or fixed amount of property upon which Zakat is due varies according to the kind of property in possession.

Q.2) Write a brief note on the importance of Zakat.

Answer: Importance OF Zakat:

Zakat occurs thirty-two times in Holy Quran. With the exception of few verses, it has been mentioned with Salat. Zakat is obbe of four practical articles of Islam. The other three articles of Islam are prayers, fasting and Hajj. These three articles benefit no one but the person who performs them, but Zakat which is also an act of worship benefits mankind. It brings prosperity to the giver in this world, and he will also get a good reward in the Hereafter. No to Zakat is a great sin.

The importance of Zakat is evident from an event. Once some persons came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and made a request to tell them about the teachings of Islam. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) mentioned the two commands of Allah- prayers and Zakat. Thus he made it clear that after prayers, the most important act of worship is to pay Zakat.

After the Holy Prophet (PBUH) passed away, some people refused to pay Zakat. Thereupon Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) declared Jihad against them. The Holy Quran has warned in harsh words, the persons who do not pay Zakat. Allah says:

“O you who believe! Indeed there are many among the rabbits (Jewish) and priests who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and dissuade them from the way of Allah. And there are those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. Announce unto them a very painful punishment. On the Day of Judgement this gold and silver will be heated in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their f0reheads, 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 hoarded for yourselves.

Zakat provides man with the best opportunity to work for the welfare of people. Zakat supports the poor and deprived persons of a society. It is helpful to replace the feelings of hatred and vengeance with the sentiments of sympathy, reverence and mutual love. Zakat purifies the heart from the love for wealth and fills it with the desire to fulfil the wish of God. The Zakat prayer begins to love the poor. The payment of Zakat causes wealth to come into circulation. Thus the financial condition of the members of society gets improved.

Q.3) State the heads of expenditure for the distribution of Zakaat in the light of the teachings of the Holy Quran.

Answer: Distribution of Zakat:

The Holy Quran has laid down the following heads of expenditure for the distribution of Zakat. The Holy Quran says:

” The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled and to free the captives and the debtors and for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarers: a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.”

In the quoted verse of the Holy Quran there are the following eight heads of the expenditure for Zakat:

1. The poor

2. The needy

3. Collectors of Zakat (the employees of Zakat Department)

4. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled who have recently accepted Islam.

5. Captives

6. Debtors

7. for the cause of Allah

8. The travellers

For giving away Zakaat , the close relations should be given preference over those who are not blood relations. Some people despite being poor, do not apt to begging. They have a keen sense of honour and self-respect. Such people should be traced and given away Zakat and other amounts of charity.

Q.4) What warning has given to the people who do not pay Zakat?

Answer: Warning of Allah:

The Holy Quran has warned in harsh words, the persons who do not pay Zakat. Allah says:

“O you who believe! Indeed there are many among the rabbits (Jewish) and priests who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood and dissuade them from the way of Allah. And there are those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. Announce unto them a very painful punishment. On the Day of Judgement this gold and silver will be heated in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their f0reheads, 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 hoarded for yourselves.