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A Muslim must tithe a portion of his or her wealth. This is called Zakat.
Zakat is not charity because charity, Sadaqa in Arabic, may or may not be given. Zakat must be
given. It is a way to cleanse the wealth that God has given us.
In Surat Al-Lail (the Night) 92:17-20
17. But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it (Hell),-
18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification,
19. And have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
20. But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High;
In Surat Al-Baqara (the Cow) 2:254
O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day
comes when no bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject
Faith they are the wrong-doers.
When something is mentioned in the Quran, it is important. When it is mentioned twice, it is more important. Zakat is mentioned over 30 times in the Quran. It is an important aspect of Islam. Many ayat (verses) in the Quran tell us not to be selfish with our wealth but to help our parents, our kin, the orphans, the needy and the way-farer.
In Surat At-Tawba (Forgiveness) 9:35
On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of
Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their
backs, - "This is the (treasure) which ye
buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!"
In Surat (Exile) 59:7
What Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (and taken away) from the people
of the townships,- belongs to Allah,- to His Messenger and to kindred and
orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; In order that it may not (merely) make a
circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what the Messenger assigns to
you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah. for
Allah is strict in Punishment.
Zakat has been determined, by Muslim scholars, to be two and one half (2 1/2) percent of your worth payable annually. This can be a simple calculation or it can be a complex calculation. However, the main point to remember is that without God's blessings, we would not have anything. All that we possess is by His grace. Therefore, if God tells us to help the poor, the orphans, our parents and relatives with the wealth that he has blessed us with, then we must. Otherwise the punishment is stated very clearly in the Quran. It is our intentions and our actions that will be judged. If we make it a complex calculation and ask about this point and that point in order to save us from relinquishing some of our wealth, as true believers, we know God knows what is in our hearts. If we are selfish, we have been warned what will happen to us in the above paragraph.
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posted 7/5/2003