Zakah

Zakah is an obligation that was proven by decisive proofs from the Qur'an and the Sunnah then the consensus confirmed its obligation. The Lord of all the Worlds has undertaken to explain its ways of spending and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) explained most of its details.

Zakah is one of the fifth pillars of Islam because it was connected with Salah more than several and thirty times in the Glorious Qur'an.

Zakah is part of the general finance system in the treasury of the state whether in resources or channels of payment. Therefore, our scholars divided Bayt-ul-Mal (Muslim treasury) into four sections: One of them is Zakah section (in addition to the house of the fifths (booty), the house of lost items, and the house of toll taxes).

Dr. Muhammad Az-Zuhily said in his book "the modern applications of Zakah":

Zakah has theologian, spiritual, psychological, social, economic, health, and educational objectives.

So, Zakah is part of the financial system of individuals in regulating their trade and controlling their funds, as Zakah contributes in solving the problem of unemployment and giving jobs to a number of idle workers.

It was reported in "Ghayath Al Umam fi Iltiyath Azh-Zhulam" book of Imam Al Juwayny: "As for fulfilling the needs, it is one of the important matters. If there is no disaster and handicap and the rich could pay Zakah, the funds of Zakah would cover the needs and more."

Scholars and researchers considered the importance of adding some modern applications in regard of the channels of Zakah by paying Zakah for low-income people whose incomes are not enough whether they were labors, workers, or employees.

Moreover, we can pay the debts of the dead from Zakah because the dead is one of the indebted people if his inheritance is not enough to pay the debt and his heirs do not have enough money to pay the debt.

This action adds security to the indebted people as it supports the social solidarity, moreover it urges people to give good loans which their owners feel secure to have them again.

Of the important methods in this time is the problems of youth, especially singles, how nicely that Zakah contributes in solving these problems and dealing with the conditions of young people through contribution in the marriage projects and helping poor boys and girls to marriage.

It is important here to indicate to an important matter related to Zakah and its channels of payment which needs more search by scholars, jurists, and researchers.

Of these matters is: The condition of the employees who collect Zakah and its distribution in proper channels.

How those people should be treated in the light of work systems and regulating laws of labors and employees?

The necessity of seeking the help of socialists to know the poor and the needy, and study the conditions of the indebted, those who embraced Islam recently, the wayfarers, and other channels of payment.

In addition to the need of Zakah foundation to modern technologies to apply Zakah, usage of computers, and banks for keeping Zakah funds.

What is the need to a specialized legitimate committee as permanent experts to solve the emergent problems and to study the difficulties of Zakah?

Zakah occupies a main status in the integrated Islamic economy where it meets multiple needs in the charitable work, as it meets other several needs.

To achieve the legitimate objectives of Zakah and the divine objectives of its imposition, Zakah should play its role to handle the problem of unemployment and eliminate the phenomenon of poverty by securing work for people, providing work for youth, and protecting the human dignity of individuals as well as providing families and children with necessary provision, contributing to the economic movement, and eliminating corruption and crimes.

Zakah is an obligation that Allah imposed on His Servants to meet the interests of people, bring benefits to them, ward off evil and corruption from them, securing the call to the religion of Allah, and fighting in His Way.