25 Ramadhan 1446H / 26 March 2025
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi
wabarakatuh,
Have you fullfilled your 3rd pillar of Islam?
What's the 3rd pillar of Islam.. Let's revise.
1st - Shahadah ( Declaration of Faith )
2nd - Solat / Salah
3rd - Zakat
4th - Fasting
5th - Hajj
So what is Zakat?
By now you would have heard your elders nagging at you.. "", have you paid your Zakat?
For most people Zakat is the payment made at the mosque to the Uncle stationed at the Zakat table. That's how I remembered it following my father to the counter. But what are you really paying for?
Let's do a quick lesson here.
Generally there are 2 kinds of Zakat.
Zakat Fitrah & Zakat on
Wealth.
Are they both obligated? Yes there are however with conditions.
Zakat Fitrah
Zakat Fitrah is also known as Zakat on the Person, Zakat of Ramadan or Zakat Fitri. Zakat Fitrah was obliged in the second year of Hijrah, the same year that fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.
Zakat Fitrah is prescribed as a means of purification for the person who fasts, redressing wrong deeds and undesirable words uttered during fasting. Zakat is also a relief-aid of its beneficiaries.
Zakat on Wealth
Zakat on
wealth is compulsory for Muslims who have sufficient savings or assets. It is not just a voluntary donation, but an obligation set by Allah.
Every year, Muslims who meet the minimum requirements must give 2.5% of their wealth to help the poor and needy. This act helps to purify one’s wealth and invites blessings from Allah.
In other words for this particular Zakat, you do need a substantial amount to qualify to pay for it.
Here's a table to simplify both
Zakat
Zakat Fitrah | Zakat on Wealth |
|---|
Aim on every person | Aim on wealth |
Paid within stipulated
time.
Only during Ramadan. | No stipulated time |
Amount is low and all Muslims are required to pay the same amount. | Dependent on the amount of wealth the giver has. |
Where do this Zakat Collection goes to?
It goes to the following 8 groups or also known as
Asnafs
- The Poor – People with nothing or very little.
- The Needy – Those who have something, but not enough.
- Zakat Workers – People who collect and distribute zakat.
- New Muslims or Those Needing Support – To help them
stay strong in faith.
- Freeing Captives – Back then it meant freeing slaves; today it may apply to those wrongly imprisoned or heavily in debt.
- People in Debt – Who cannot pay their debts and need help.
- In the Path of Allah – For causes that benefit Islam and the Muslim community.
- Stranded
Travelers – People far from home who have no money left.
