Chapter 1.4 : Zakat

Chapter 1.4 : Zakat

Introduction
This subchapter will equip you with the knowledge of appreciating the teachings of Islam about zakat and its types. You will also understand the different Quranic verses to explain the importance of zakat. You
will also study the items from which zakat is paid and the categories of people entitled to receive zakat.
You have learnt about congregational and individual prayers. You have also learnt about what to do before performing swallah. You discussed the benefits of both types of prayers. You are now going to discover another pillar of Islam in detail. This is zakat. It is the third pillar of Islam.

Meaning of Zakat

Do you know that every financially able Muslim is supposed to pay a part of their wealth and property annually to the poor community? Have you seen people pay this wealth? What did they pay? Zakat is
an obligatory act ordained by Allah to be performed.

(Quran 7:156) My Mercy encompasses all things, but I will specify it for the righteous who give zakat.
Zakat must be given away “on the day of harvest”
(Quran 6: 141) give the due alms (zakat) on the day of harvest, and do not waste anything. He does not love the wasters.”
Activity 1.4.1 Studying the pictures and answering the questions that follow
Study Figure 1.4.1 below and perform the tasks that follow:

1. Describe what you see in Figure | .4.1.
2. What do you think of the woman with a baby?
3. Have you seen such people in your community?
4. What do you understand by ‘charity’ or ‘giving alms’?
5. Identify the other Islamic teachings on zakat. Share your answers with the whole class.
   Types of Zakat
   Zakat too has types. Can you mention them? When are they paid?
   Muslims believe that sharing is a good idea in life. This shows a sign of generosity.
   Can you use zakat as an example to explain the value of sharing and generosity to the Muslim community? You will now read the following surahs concerning zakat.
   Surat A1-Mujadalah (58:13)

ALSO LEARN : Ordinary Level Syllabus

Activity 14.2 Reading Surat A1-Mujadalah (58:13) and performing tasks that follow
In groups, recite the verse from Surat Al- Mujadalah (58:13).
(58:13) “Are you afraid of spending in charity before your private consultation (with him); If then you do it not and Allah has forgiven you then, (at least) perform salat, and give zakat and obey Allah (do all that Allah and His messenger order you to do)….”
1.In your own words, explain what the verse means.

2. Use the above verse to explain sharing in Islam.
3. Share your answers with the whole class.

Surat A1-Maidah (5:12)
Activity 1.4.3 Listening and discussing Surat Al- Maidah 5:12

Listen to the recorded audio of the recitation of Surat A1-Maidah.
Open the Quran and identify verse 12. In groups, brainstorm the idea of sharing using verse 5:12. Share your answers with the whole class.

Items on which Zakat is Payable
Everything you see around you is not supposed to be payable as zakat. The items that are supposed to be paid are those that we have in our own homes as wealth. Can you mention some of the items that
you have at your homes? To understand more on the items on which zakat is payable, you will work through Activity 1.4.4 that follows.
Activity 14.4 Studying the pictures and answering the questions that follow
In groups, study the Figures 1.4.2 — 1.4.9.

¯

1. Name the items known to you, in Figures 1.4.2 — 1.4.9.
2. Identify other items of zakat that cannot be seen physically.
3. Outline the economic importance of the things in Figures1.4.2—1.4.9.
4. Mention the type of wealth got from them.
   You have just learnt about the items from which zakat is payable. You have also learnt about the meaning of zakat, the different types and the Islamic teachings.
   Activity 1.4.5 Writing an essay on the importance of zakat
   Individually write an essay reflecting the importance of zakat to an individual and to the society. Exchange and discuss your essays in pairs.
   Rates of Zakat
   The money that every working person possesses constitutes a nisab value of 2.5%, which is only paid once a year as zakat after the obligatory expenses. But what do we understand by nisab? Nisab is the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to zakat.
5. Activity 1.4.6 Inquiring about zakat calculations
6. Consult your parents or sheiks or any religious person to find out how zakat is calculated. Record your findings and present them to the teacher and class.
7. Property and People Exempted from Zakat
8. Among the items under possession, some are exempted from paying zakat. This means that if a Muslim only has those items, then he or she is not supposed to pay zakat. Find out more as you work through Activity 1.47.

Activity 1.4.7 Discussing and writing
In groups,

1. Discuss the property exempted from zakat.
2. Discuss the people who are exempted from receiving zakat.
3. Share your answers with the whole class.
   Categories of People who Should Get Zakat
   In every society, all people are not in the same economic or social standing. That is why the Quran chose particular people to receive zakat. You will understand these people as you read Quran Surat Al- Tauba 9:60 that follows:
   “As-Sadaqa (here it means zaka) are only for the fuqara (poor) and A1-masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds) and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam) and to free captives and for those in debt and for Allah’s cause (those fighting in holy war) and for way farer a duty imposed by Allah and Allah is All-knower, All-wise.”

Activity