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OBLIGATORY CHARITY (ZAKAH)
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Obligatory charity giving is an act of worship and spiritual investment. The literal meaning of Zakah is purity and it refers to the
annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. Zakah does not only purifies
the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from
envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.
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Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust
and from corruption. Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy
capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between
capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism.
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Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. The contributor should not seek pride
or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so.
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The recipients of Zakah are: the poor, the needy, the new Muslim converts, the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them), Muslims in debt,
employees appointed to collect Zakah, Muslims in service of research or study or propagation of Islam, and wayfarers who are foreigners in need
of help.
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Note the obligatory nature of Zakah; it is required. Muslims can also go above and beyond what they pay as Zakah, in which case the offering is
strictly voluntary charity (sadaqa).
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