ASSINGMENT NO 02
Isl 101
1: What is meant by “Nisab” in terms of Zakat?
is an İslamic Fiqh term which is used for some kinds of worship such as zakat, fitr, qurban and for some rulings in Islam such as the determination of the penalty of theft.
is the amount of wealth which makes a Muslim liable for zakat and qurban (sacrifice).
is the minimum amount that is required for a person to have for being regarded as
the minimum limit of richness, was determined by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) considering the average standard of living and the criterion of richness of the community of that time.
The amounts of nisab stated in the hadiths can be listed as follows;
80,18 grams of gold or its equivalent in cash or goods, 40 sheep or goats, 30 cattle, 5 camels.
It is clear that these goods which are used to determine the amount of nisab used to be the most common means of richness in that era. The determination of nisab based on these goods was maintained in the future periods when the social and economic conditions did not change so much
another idea
The amount of zakatable wealth/asset which makes one liable for paying zakat is called Nisab. In other words any person who has Nisab in his possession for one lunar calendar has an obligation to pay Zakat. Similarly if a person does not have Nisab in his possession he/she can take Zakat.
another idea
In Sharia (Islamic Law) niṣāb (نِصاب) is the amount one's net worth must exceed for the Muslim owner to be obligated to give zakat. Several hadith have formulas for calculating niṣāb, the most prominent of which declaring that No Zakāt is due on wealth until one year passes. Zakat is then determined based on the amount of wealth acquired; the greater the income, the greater the tax. It is not subject to special exemptions. (Unlike Income Tax in secular states.)
The Quran states that Nisab is twenty for gold (dinārs) and 200 for silver (dirḥams). With today's weights, the zakāt-payable amount is 85 grams of gold or 595 g silver. In general, niṣāb is considered an amount equal to the essential needs of a person or family for one year. This year begins on the date the wealth is obtained; so long as the assets are in its owner's possession at the beginning and end of the lunar year, the zakat tax is applicable. In many modern societies, niṣāb is considered equivalent to a governmentally determined poverty threshold.
Describe the purposes for which the amount of Zakat can be used.
Zakat can be spent for the following eight purposes:
(i) It may be given to poor person, who does not possess actual or potential means to meet his own expenses, as well as that of his family for a period of one year. However, a person who has an art or possesses property or capital to meet his expenses, is not classified as poor.
(ii) It may be paid to a miskin (a destitute person) who leads a harder life than a Faqir (a poor person).
(iii) It can be given to a person who is a Wakil of Holy Imam (A.S.) or his representative to collect Zakat, to keep it in safe custody, to maintain its accounts and to deliver it to the Imam or his representative or to the poor.
(iv) It can be given to those non-Muslims who may, as a result, be inclined to Islam, or may assist the Muslims with the Zakat for fighting against the enemies, or for other justified purposes. It can be given to those Muslims also whose faith in the Prophet or in the Wilayat of Amirul Momineen is unstable and weak, provided that, as a result of giving, their faith is entrenched.
(v) It can be spent to purchase the slaves to set them free, the details of which have been given in its relevant Chapter.
(vi) It can be given to an indebted person who is unable to repay his debt.
(vii) It may be spent in the way of Allah for things which has common benefit to the Muslims; for example, to construct a mosque, or a school for religious education, or to keep the city clean, or to widen or to build tar roads.
(viii) It may be given to a stranded traveller.
Question n0 02
Ans :
Another idea
Beneficiaries of Zakat
The Holy Quran () classifies the due recipients of zakat under the following eight categories.
"Zakat is for the poor, and the needy and those who are employed to administer and collect it, and the new converts, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt and service of the cause of God, and for the wayfarers, a duty ordained by God, and Godis the All-Knowing, the Wise".
Zakat can only be distributed to any of the eight eligible beneficiaries (asnaf) that are mentioned in the Quran in Surah Taubah:60. However, priority should be given to the poor and needy. Where there is no central authority to administer zakat, it can be paid directly to the needy.
"Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and Godis full of knowledge and wisdom." ()
· The poor (Faqir/Fuqara)
o Those without any means of livelihood and material possessions.
· The needy (Miskeen)
o Those without sufficient means of livelihood to meet their basic necessities. For instance, those who, although may have a job, a house and a car, but whose income is below the minimum requirement.
· The administrators of zakat (Amil)
o Those appointed to manage and administer zakat. This category is sub-divided into the following categories:
§ Group of people who go out to the society and determine those who fall Fuqara and Miskeen categories.
§ Those who collect the Zakat money.
§ The accountant of the Zakat money.
§ The administrator, manager, clerical worker or secretary who puts the files in order.
§ Those who handle Zakat distributions.
§ The auditor who audits overall Zakat management and administration.
· The sympathizers (Muallaf-at-Quloobuhum)
o Those whose hearts are inclined towards or have accepted Islam.
· To free slaves (Riqab)
o Zakat can also be used to free slaves or captives.
· Those who are in debt (Gharimin)
o Zakat can be used to pay off the debts of a person who has borrowed to pay for basic necessities so that he/she can lead a normal life. Zakat can also be distributed to those in financial difficulties e.g. bankruptcy due to the loss of employment and heavy debt.
· For the cause of God (Fisabillillah)
o Zakat can be used to finance any form of struggle or work for the love of God. The following examples fall under this category, e.g. Da'wah; building & developing society's infrastructure; defending Muslims, who are being oppressed; assisting poor travelers and sponsoring a student's educational expenses.
· Those who are stranded during a journey (Ibnus Sabil)
o Zakat can also be used to help a traveler facing difficulties in continuing his journey due to reasons such as loss of money or the break down of his vehicles, the repair of which he cannot afford.
question no 03
amongst the relatives Zakat cannot be paid to the parents, grand-fathers (both paternal and maternal), grand-mothers (both paternal and maternal), one’s own children, grand-sons and grand-daughters.
