Did you know that zakat is included in the list of obligatory acts of worship, just like prayer and fasting? Zakat is one of the four pillars of Islam that Muslims are required to fulfill.
So, how can we perform the worship of zakat in a kaffah manner? Let’s first get acquainted with the definition of zakat, its requirements, and its complete types according to Islam.
Definition of Zakat and its Law
In a language approach, the definition of zakat can be seen from the word zaka, which means clean, pure, fertile, and growing. According to Ustadz Quraish Shihab, the meaning of zakat in language reflects two things.
The first point reflects that those who spend money in the form of zakat will see their wealth grow. If they do not pay zakat, then their wealth will lose or get something unwanted. Zakat in the sense of developing, or making their wealth grow.
Meanwhile, the second reflection is that people who give zakat can make their property pure and clean. The point is, it may be that in the process of obtaining wealth there are things whose value is not haram, but unpleasant.
For example, in the process of buying and selling there is excessive promotion, or too encouraging someone to buy your product, things like this can be purified through zakat.
However, if you get your wealth from corruption or cheating others, of course the value is haram and cannot be purified with zakat.
There is a reason why Allah has made it obligatory for Muslims to give zakat. In doing business, the wealth we earn is not generated by our own efforts. Rather, there are other people, who we may not even know, helping us to carry out the process of getting sustenance.
Read also: Spreading Zakat Fitrah Creates Radiant Smiles
There is a right from some of the wealth we earn for those who cannot afford it. Allah tests our humanity to give others a chance to continue living through zakat.
Allah says in Surah At-Taubah verse 71:
“And those who believe, men and women, some of them (are) helpers for others. They enjoin what is right, and forbid what is evil, and establish prayer, and pay zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They will be granted mercy by Allah; surely Allah is Mighty and Wise.”
In Surah At-Taubah verse 71, Allah commands us to help each other, not to do evil, to establish prayer, and to pay zakat. Paying zakat is a way to do good to others.
Not only do we need to understand the meaning of zakat, but we also need to know the requirements for paying zakat. To be able to fulfill the worship of zakat, there are conditions that need to be met by Muslims.
Requirements for Paying Zakat
In Islam, there are several requirements for paying zakat. These requirements are mandatory for Muslims who want to pay zakat. Here are some of the requirements.
- Islam
The first requirement to pay zakat is to be Muslim. Non-Muslims are not required to pay zakat. Muslims are obliged to pay zakat fitrah during the month of Ramadan, while for zakat maal it is adjusted to the value of each individual’s property ownership.
2. Free
A person who pays zakat must be free. Free in the sense that it is not in a colonized condition, and is not a slave. Also free in the sense that they have sufficient financial capacity. Someone who is not free, of course, has difficulty meeting his basic needs. Therefore, it is not obligatory to pay zakat.
3. Reasonable
In paying zakat, it is necessary to have a sound mind to be able to intend worship, and to calculate fairly the zakat obligation that needs to be paid. A person who is of sound mind, whose mental condition is not disturbed, can consciously fulfill the requirements of zakat.
4. Baligh
Baligh is a man or woman who has reached the age of puberty. Men are marked by dreams, while women are marked by menstruation. If they have reached the age of puberty, Muslims can pay zakat.
Baligh is a condition for paying zakat. A person who has not reached the age of puberty or a child is not required to pay zakat.
5. Treasure Reaches Nisab
Nisab in the sense of zakat is the minimum limit of one’s wealth, which is required to pay zakat. If a person already has wealth, with the amount reaching the predetermined minimum limit, then he is obliged to pay zakat.
Nisab has different types, depending on the type of zakat. There are different nisab values for zakaah on agricultural, commercial, livestock, or gold-silver mining assets.
6. Assets Reaching Haul
Haul in the sense of zakat is the wealth owned by a person, which has reached the age of one year. A person who has assets reaching haul is obliged to pay zakat. The age of a year is adjusted to the Hijri calendar. Assets that have not reached haul are not required to pay zakat.
Example of Nisab Zakat Maal
As explained above, the nisab is a requirement for someone to be subject to zakat obligations. In the calculation of property zakat or maal zakat, the nisab of zakat varies. It depends on the type of wealth and business.
- Livestock Nisab
The nisab for cattle, buffaloes and horses is equal to the nisab for cattle, which is 30 heads. If a Muslim owns 30 cattle, buffaloes and horses in one year, he or she must pay zakat.
The nisaab for poultry and fisheries is equivalent to an amount of 20 dinars. By calculation, 1 dinar is estimated to be around 4.25 grams of pure gold. If a Muslim owns poultry and fishing livestock worth 20 dinars in one year, he/she is required to pay zakat at the rate of 2.5%.
You can learn more about this in the article Zakat on Livestock.
2. Nisab of Gold, Silver and Wealth
The nisaab of gold is 20 dinars, equivalent to 85 grams of pure gold. The nisab of silver is 200 dirhams, equivalent to 672 grams of silver. If a Muslim has assets that are accumulated, equal to or exceeding these values within one year, then it is obligatory to pay zakat of 2.5% of the total assets owned.
You can see the full explanation in How to calculate gold zakat.
3. Nisab of Business
If a Muslim has a business in trade, industry, agro-industry, or services in the form of a PT, CV, Foundation, Cooperative, etc., which has a wealth value of 85 grams of gold, or the equivalent of IDR 65,110,000. Then it is obligatory to pay zakat in the amount of 2.5% of the total wealth of the business.
Read also: Must Know! How to Calculate Zakat Fitrah and Zakat Maal
Types of Zakat
Zakat has different types. In the sense of zakat, both have the same function. However, the specific terms have differences. Here are the types of zakat that you need to know:
- Zakat Fitrah
Zakat Fitrah is money that is given out at the end of the month of Ramadan. Everyone who has excess food, even if it is for one day and one night, is required to pay zakat fitrah.
Zakat fitrah has the purpose of cleansing the soul for anyone who does it. The calculation of zakat fitrah is seen from the basic foodstuffs commonly consumed by Muslims. It is worth 2.5 kg of the staple food we eat.
In Indonesia, zakat fitrah can be paid with 2.5 kg of rice or the equivalent of 3.5 liters of rice. In addition, it can also be paid with money whose value is equivalent to staple food.
Read also: Zakat Fitrah 2024, Calculation and Complete Guide
2. Zakat Maal
Zakat maal is a zakat that must be paid by a Muslim from the assets obtained, from the results of business, or work with the amount and time that has been determined. The assets to be zakaahed are those that have been owned, stored and controlled, and their benefits are felt.
Assets that have been owned for one year are subject to zakat maal. Examples of assets that are zakatable include houses, vehicles, livestock, agricultural products, gold, silver money, and so on.
If you find it difficult to pay zakat on all your assets at once, you can calculate the estimated amount of zakat from now on. How much will your wealth be worth when it reaches haul. Then find the amount of 2.5% of your total wealth.
Before your wealth reaches the haul, you can save some money little by little. Until the time of haul comes, you can pay zakat with a lighter feeling.
Read also: Must Know! How to Calculate Zakat Fitrah and Zakat Maal
8 Groups of Zakat Recipients
Zakat is intended for eight groups who are entitled to receive it, each with certain conditions and needs. Here are the 8 groups that are entitled to receive zakat funds:
- Fakir are those who have no wealth or income and have difficulty making ends meet.
- Poor are those who have a small income, but not enough to fulfill their basic needs.
- Amil are those who collect and distribute zakat, so they are entitled to receive zakat as a reward for their work.
- Mualaf are people who have recently converted to Islam and need help in deepening their religious knowledge.
- Riqab are slaves who want to free themselves.
- Gharimin are people who are in debt for the necessities of life, not for sin.
- Fi Sabilillah are those who fight in the way of Allah, such as preachers.
- Ibn Sabil is a traveler who runs out of provisions on a journey for a good purpose, such as studying or working.
You can read a more detailed explanation in 8 groups of zakat recipients.
Allah has created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them with their respective functions. We can enjoy food, clothing, life, all natural resources from Allah’s creation.
Zakat is a way for us to be grateful for Allah’s blessings, by helping others. Through the zakat funds that we distribute, for Muslims in need.
