Definition of Zakat on Income
Zakat on income or also known as professional zakat is zakat that is taken from the income / income / salary for the profession that we live in. Such as doctors, lawyers, advocates, engineers, artists, civil servants, private employees, and so on. Keep in mind, when you pay zakat on your income, it must be accompanied by sincere intentions so that the zakat issued can cleanse our souls.
At the time of the Prophet, the types of professions were still very few. Unlike today where there are many variations of professions. Along with the increasing number of types of professions, there needs to be confirmation and rules in the payment of zakat. Do not let people with low salaries also be subject to income zakat. To know more about this zakat, you can read the article Who is Obliged to Pay Zakat on Income?
Function of Zakat on Income
There is no law of Allah Swt that does not provide goodness and benefit for Muslims and all creatures created by Him. This includes the law of zakat which has many wisdom or benefits, both for the giver and the recipient of zakat. The functions of income tax include:
- To help the weak. Giving some of the wealth through zakat will help them to fulfill their needs.
- To eradicate the disease of envy and jealousy from people around who are only able to fulfill their daily needs (live enough).
- To purify oneself from sins and bring guidance to become a generous and sensitive person to others. Thus, it can reduce bad traits such as greed or greed.
- To realize the Islamic social system, namely the principles of ummatan wahidatan (one ummah), musawah (equality of status and obligations), ukhuwah islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood), and takaful ijtima’ (shared responsibility).
- To narrow the gap and realize the balance in the distribution of wealth as well as the balance of individual responsibility.
- The realization of social solidarity, a statement of humanity, and proof of Islamic brotherhood.
- To create a prosperous society in which the relationship between individuals and each other becomes harmonious and harmonious, so that a baldatun thoyyibatun wa rabbun ghofur society can be created (a country that gathers the goodness of nature and the goodness of the behavior of its inhabitants).
The above cannot be separated from the function of zakat as a purifier of wealth and a grower of wealth, as stated in the Qur’an:
“Take zakat from some of their wealth, with which you cleanse and purify them and pray for them…”
(QS. At-Taubah: 103)
In addition to its ukhrawi or afterlife function, zakat also has an impact on the economy of the people of a country. Such as income, consumption, investment, employment, and savings. How is the real impact?
The Impact of Zakat on Small Communities
Zakat is not like social assistance that is only given once, then runs out. More than that, zakat empowers. It makes those who were previously unable to make ends meet, become able to. With good and correct management of zakat funds, small communities can increase their income, so that their economic level rises, no longer being a small community. How can this be done?
In the economic dimension, zakat functions to alleviate poverty. For this reason, zakat funds need to be managed productively. One way is by running an economic empowerment program. The distribution of zakat in this case can take the form of capital assistance for businesses which includes funds, tools, to intensive training and mentoring. With this capital, beneficiaries are expected to be able to make a living independently and not depend on any type of assistance.
When they are able to fulfill their daily needs, there will be an increase in consumption by the poor, which will then attract investment. The increase in investment will then result in increased employment. The income of the owners of the factors of production also increases. Thus, there is an overall increase in income, which will increase consumption and savings. All these aspects will be sustainable and interrelated.
Thus, zakat funds need to be collected professionally from various parties. Because, this will be the power to implement a more optimal empowerment program. For that, always make sure that you channel your zakat to an amil institution that has a license and is trustworthy. Because, zakat institutions have a clear, measurable, and sustainable program.
To find out more about the role of zakat for small communities, you can read it in this article The Role of Zakat in Eradicating Poverty.
Zakat at Dompet Dhuafa
As a national amil zakat institution that has been established for 31 years, Dompet Dhuafa has a high commitment in improving the welfare of the poor. Through five program pillars, namely education, health, economy, social, da’wah and culture, thank God Dompet Dhuafa has succeeded in raising the dignity of tens of millions of poor people. “From mustahik to muzaki” is Dompet Dhuafa’s biggest motivation in carrying out the donor’s mandate.
There are three conveniences that you can feel when paying zakat at Dompet Dhuafa. First, the Zakat Pickup Service. You can contact Dompet Dhuafa to pick up your zakat, so you don’t have to bother going to the Dompet Dhuafa zakat office or service counter. Second, zakat service through account transfer. You can transfer your zakat to one of the accounts from the following list of accounts. If so, confirm your zakat as a form of zakat contract. Third, zakat service through online payment. You can pay your zakat to Dompet Dhuafa through online payments, such as DANA, GoPay, ShopeePay, OVO, CIMB Clicks, IB Muamalat, mastercard and visa cards.
Apart from the above methods, you can also pay zakat through the digital.dompetdhuafa.org/zakat page, or through the Dompet Dhuafa application which can be downloaded here (Android|iOS). In the application, Sahabat can enjoy a variety of features, ranging from the Al-Qur’an, viewing the Dompet Dhuafa Public Report, to Tanya Ustaz. Come on, zakat now!
