Punishments of Not Giving Zakat

Dear Islamic brothers in this piece of writing we will learn answers to these questions:

What is the significance of Zakat?

When did Zakat become Fard?

What is the Definition of Zakat?

What is the ruling on denying Zakat to be a Fard act?

What amount of Zakat will be given?

On whom is Zakat Fard?

What are the punishments of not giving Zakat?

Dear brothers! Zakat is the basic pillar of Islam and became Fard in 2 Hijri before the Siyam. 1/40^th part of the zakat nisab (i.e. 2.5%) will have to be given as Zakat. It is proven from the Holy Quran that Zakat is Fard; one who denies it is a Kafir. The Beloved Rasoolصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has stated, ‘The foundation of Islam is on five acts: To testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is His Rasool; to offer Salah; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj; and to observe Sawm of Ramadan.’

(Bukhari/Kitab ul Iman)

The significance of Zakat can be observed by the fact that: Salah and Zakat have been mentioned together in the Holy Quran 32 times.

(Radd ul Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)

Besides this, the fortunate Zakat-giving a person receives great blessings and benefits of this world and the Hereafter.

Zakat is Fard

It is proven from the Holy Quran and Sunnah that Zakat is Fard. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has stated in the Holy Quran:

وَ اَقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَ اٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Imaan: And establish (obligatory) prayer, and give Zakat.

(Part 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 43)

Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Na’eemuddin Muradabadi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ (who passed away in 1367 Hijri) has stated: This Ayah says about Salah and Zakat donation being Fard.

When the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ sent Sayyiduna Mu’aaz رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ towards Yemen, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: Tell them that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has made Zakat Fard in their wealth; it should be taken from the wealthy people and given to the Fuqara [poor people.

(Tirmizi/Kitabuzakat)

Definition of Zakat

That wealth specified by Shari’ah is termed as Zakat from which a person discontinues his benefit in every manner and then for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ, it is given into the possession of such Muslim Faqeer [Shari’ah-declared poor person], who is neither Hashmi himself nor is he a slave freed by any Hashmi.

(Durr e Mukhtar/Kitabuzakat)

On whom is Zakat Fard?

Giving and Zakat calculator is Fard on every such ‘Aaqil [sane] and Baligh [person who has reached puberty] Muslim who is not a slave and who meets the following conditions:

1 He owns Nisab.

2 This Nisab is Naami [growing in nature].

3 He has Nisab in his possession.

4 Nisab is exclusive of his Haajat-e-Asliyyah (i.e. basic necessities of life).

5 Nisab is exclusive of the money he owes (i.e. he should not owe the people such debt that his Nisab will no longer remain if he pays it).

6 A year passes on this Nisab.

(Bahar e Shariat)

Punishments of not giving Zakat

Not giving Zakat is a cause of the destruction of wealth as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The wealth that has got destroyed in the land and sea, it has got destroyed because of not giving Zakat.

(Majma-ul-Zwaed/KitabulZakat)

At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: Wealth of Zakat will destroy the [wealth] in which it will be present.

(Shob-ul-Iman)

Explaining the abovementioned Hadith, Mufti Muhammad Amjad Ali A’zami رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated, ‘Some great Ulama have stated the following meaning of this Hadith: If Zakat becomes Wajib on a person but he does not pay it and keeps it included in his wealth, this Haraam will destroy that Halal. Imam Ahmad رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated the following meaning: If a wealthy person takes Wealth of Zakat, this Wealth of Zakat will destroy his wealth as Zakat is for the Fuqara [poor people]. Both meanings are correct.’

(Bahar-e-Shariat)

The nation which does not give Zakat can suffer from troubles collectively. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: The nation which will not give Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّwill make it suffer from drought.

(Al Moj-ul-Osat)

At another place, he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has said: When the people abandon paying Zakat, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ stops the rain. If quadrupeds were not present on the Earth, even a single drop of water would not fall from the sky.

(Ibn-e-Majah)

The person who does not give Zakat has been cursed, as Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has narrated: Rasoolullah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ has cursed the one who does not give Zakat.

(Sahih Ibn-e-Khuzaimah)

Dear Islamic brothers! this is very short writing for this important topic if you want to read details of it please visit our online book library and read many books on this topic you can also buy these books from Maktaba-tul-Madina.

May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ enable us to learn our Deen and to act upon its teachings! Ameen

Why Should We Pay Our Zakat

Islam is a complete code of life for a Muslim. It guides us on how to spend our life obeying Allah Almighty and teaches us the method to please our Lord Almighty. Islam tells us that the purpose of our creation is to worship Allah Almighty. In Islam, there is diversity in the ways and methods of worships. There are worships which a Muslim performs physically like Salah, Fast and Hajj and there are worships he can perform with his wealth like Zakat.  Zakat is one pillar out of the pillars of Islam. Muslims have been ordered in the Quran Alkareem by Allah Almighty to pay zakat. 

Allah Almighty says in Quran Alkareem:

وَ  اَ قِیۡمُوا  الصَّلٰو ۃَ   وَ  اٰتُو ا   الزَّکٰوۃَ

And keep obligatory prayer established and pay zakat.

[Kanz-ul-Iman Part 1, Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 43]

And in another Ayah He, the Almighty, says:

وَ الَّذِیۡنَ   ہُمۡ   لِلزَّکٰوۃِ   فٰعِلُوۡنَ  

And who are active in paying zakat.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (Part 18, Surah Al-Mu`minoon, Ayah 4]

The beloved Rasool  صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّمalso emphasizes  the importance of zakat on many occasions. Here are a few Ahadees in this regard:

Sayiduna Abdullah bin Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا has narrated that the Dear Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم said: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has ordered me to fight against people until they attest that there is none worthy of worship except for Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and Muhammad  صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم is the true Rasool of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ; offer Prayer appropriately; give Zakah; thus, if they do accordingly, their  wealth and lives will be safe from me except for the punishment which Islam has made compulsory upon them. (Sahih Bukhari Hadees 20)

“Tell them that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made Zakah compulsory in their wealth; it should be taken from the wealthy and given to the poor.” Said the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم when he sent syiduna Muaz رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ towards Yamen. (Sunan Tirmizi Hadees 625)

After the apparent demise of the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم some Arab tribes denied the order of zakah; so the successor of the beloved Rasool ordered to fight with those people and said: By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I will fight against the person who will differentiate between Salah and Zakah (that he admits Salah to be Fard but negates Zakah being Fard), and Zakah is the right of wealth. By Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! If they stopped even a rope (that is Wajib upon them to give) which they would give in the blessed period of beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم, I will fight against them. (Sahih Bukhari Hadees 1400)

We understand that zakah is fard like salah and it should be given with proper calculation. Now, it is very easy to calculate your zakat by zakat calculator given on the website of Dawateislami. Dear brothers! It is our duty to remember zakat year. When our zakat year is completed we should pay our zakat properly on time. However, you can pay your zakat in advance for the next year but when your zakat year completes you cannot delay after that. Dear Brothers! Keep it in your mind that when you pay your zakat, you get a lot of blessings because Zakat removes the dirt of the wealth, purifies the wealth and also saves it from calamities. Now, you can pay zakat online easily along with any other Zakat donations using the online service provided by DawateIslami.

Dear, brother! When we pay our zakat, our wealth circulates in society. Those who are less privileged also receive a share of our wealth and make Dua for us and do not become jealous of our wealth. When we pay zakat, we help our fellow Muslims and helping Muslims is a great virtuous act. Allah Almighty grants his blessings to those who spend in His way and help the Muslims.

Those who do not pay zakat of their wealth, Allah Almighty gives them a severe punishment. Their wealth will become the mean of punishment for them on the Day of Judgment. Even in this world, their wealth is on risk. One Hadees says that zakat will destroy the wealth in which it is present. So please pay you zakat and save yourself from these punishments. Now, it is very easy to pay your zakat firah with zakat fitrah online service. May Allah Almighty enable us to fulfill the commandments of Sharia. Ameen

Reward of Building a Masjid

When our beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم Migrated from Makkah to Madina and reached Quba, there he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  built the first masjid of Islam. This Masjid is called Masjid e Quba. This masjid is mentioned in the blessed Quran Alkareem as well in these words “لَمَسۡجِدٌ اُسِّسَ عَلَی التَّقۡوٰی مِنۡ اَوَّلِ  یَوۡمٍ اَحَقُّ  اَنۡ تَقُوۡمَ فِیۡہِ ؕ”indeed the masjid that has been founded on piety from the very first day deserves that you should stand in it. Our beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  himself participated in the construction of this Masjid and did the labor work. 

He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  laid the foundation stone with his own blessed hands and carried heavy stones for building Masjid Quba. When respected companions requested him to carry his stone, he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  would give that stone to his companion to hearten him and carry another stone of the same weigh. He would read these couplets of Abdullah bin Rwaha رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ in course with other companions.

“وَیَقْرَءُ الْقُرْاٰنَ قَائِمًا وَّقَاعِدًا …….َافْلَحَ مَنْ یُّعَالِجُ الْمَسْجِدَا”

It means the one who builds the Masjid and reads Holy Quran becomes successful.

Beloved and blessed Rasoolصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  encouraged building masjids and told us the reward of building masjids. Here are few ahadees in this regard:

“It is narrated from Muhammad bin labeed that when Usman bin Affan رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ intended to build the masjid the people did not like it. They liked that it should be kept in the same state. On this occasion syiduna Usman said : I heard the beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  saying: the one who builds a Masjid for Allah, Allah will build a house for him like it in Paradise. (Sahih Muslim hadees 30 )

In another Hadees pak, it is said that the reward of building Masjid reaches to the person even after his demise. Here is that hadees:

“It was narrated that Abu Hurairah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهَُ said: The beloved Rasool  stated: The reward of the good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: Knowledge which he taught and spread; a righteous son whom he left behind; a copy of Quran that he left as legacy; a masjid that he built; a house that he built for travellers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his demise.” ( Sunan Ibn e Majah Hadees 242)

Dear brothers! We have learnt that building Masjid is a great virtuous act. The beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم  himself participated in the building of Masjid. The reward of building Masjid reaches to the person even after his demise and whatever virtuous acts are done in the masjid, he receives its reward in his grave. When a person builds a masjid in this world, Allah Almighty builds a house for him in Jannah. In other words, the reward of ‘build a masjid’ is Jannah and such a great it is.  

We should also try to participate in the building of masjids. Let us make this intention that we will build a Masjid and try to help those who are building jamia masjid or any other masjid because Build a masjid project is a project of all Muslims. It is not like the house project of any person or any shopping center of any company. This work is for pleasure of Allah Almighty and money spent in building masjid is in the way of Allah Almighty. May Allah Almighty enable us to build a masjid for His sake. Ameen.