KITAABUZ ZAKAAH

BOOK ON ZAKAAH
ACCORDING TO THE
HANAFI MADHAB

By: Moulana Yusuf Laher

Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 2
KITAABUZ ZAKAAH .......................................................................... 3
VERSES OF THE QUR’AAN RELATED TO ZAKAAH ....................... 3
AHAADEETH ON THE VIRTUES OF ZAKAAH ................................ 4
WARNING TO THOSE WHO ARE NEGLECTFUL IN
DISCHARGING ZAKAAH.................................................................... 4
ON WHOM IS ZAKAAH COMPULSORY ....................................... 5
ITEMS ON WHICH ZAKAAH BECOMES COMPULSORY ............ 6
AMOUNT OF ZAKAAH ................................................................... 8
WHOM CAN ZAKAAH BE GIVEN TO ............................................ 8
THOSE WHO ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ACCEPT ZAKAAH ........ 9
IMPORTANT POINTS .................................................................. 10
THERE IS NO ZAKAAH ON:......................................................... 13
ADVICE .......................................................................................... 14

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 ِ ٰ ‫ِالس ََل ُمِ َع‬
ِِ،ِ‫ل َِر ُسولِاهلل‬ َّ ‫ِالص ََلةِ َُو‬
َّ ‫بِسِمِِاهلل َِو‬

INTRODUCTION

All praises are due unto Allah Ta’aala. He alone is the Sustainer
and Nourisher, the giver of wealth and health and He grants to
whomever He wishes.
Salaah and Salaam on our Rasool and guide; Nabi Mohammed
(Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam), the leader of both worlds, on his
family and companions.

Alhamdulillah you have completed Kitaabut Tahaarah, Kitaabus

Salaah and Kitaabus Saum.

You have studied three important aspects of Islam and through

this book you will educate yourself regarding another important
aspect and pillar known as Zakaah.
The compulsion of Zakaah is established from the Qur’aan and
Sunnah. Allah Ta’aala commands us in many places in the
Qur’aan to give Zakaah.
If certain conditions apply, giving of Zakaah is Fardh. Neglect
in this regard is a major sin and disobedience unto Allah. It is
mentioned that if a person is neglectful in fulfilling this
obligation, there is a fear the eventually he may lose all his
wealth. May Allah protect us, Aameen.

May Allah grant you sincerity, success and the guidance to

practice on Islam in its entirety, Aameen.
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KITAABUZ ZAKAAH

The literal meaning of Zakaah is ‘increase’. By fulfilling the

obligation of Zakaah, Barakah in one’s wealth is increased.

The technical meaning of Zakaah: giving a specified portion of

wealth to the qualifying needy at a specific time if the
conditions of Zakaah becoming Fardh are established upon a
person.

VERSES OF THE QUR’AAN RELATED TO ZAKAAH

* AND ESTABLISH SALAAH AND GIVE ZAKAAH AND

BOW DOWN WITH THOSE WHO BOW (Surah Baqarah)

* AND ESTABLISH PRAYERS AND GIVE ZAKAAH. AND

WHATEVER YOU SEND FORTH FOR YOURSELVES OF
GOOD DEEDS, YOU WILL FIND IT WITH ALLAH (Surah
Baqarah)

* AND ESTABLISH SALAAH AND GIVE ZAKAAH AND

OBEY THE MESSENGER SO THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE
MERCY (FROM ALLAH) (Surah Noor)

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AHAADEETH ON THE VIRTUES OF ZAKAAH

* FROM THE COMPLETION OF YOUR ISLAM IS THAT YOU

GIVE ZAKAAH FROM YOUR WEALTH.
(Al Mu’jamul Kabeer Tabraani)

* WHOEVER FULFILS THE ZAKAAH OF HIS WEALTH HAS

REMOVED THE EVIL FROM IT (from the wealth).
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat Tabraani)

* TAKE OUT ZAKAAH FROM YOUR WEALTH FOR IT IS A

MEANS OF PURIFICATION THAT WILL PURIFY YOU. (It
will be a means of) GOOD RELATIONS WITH YOUR
RELATIVES, AND RECOGNISE THE RIGHTS OF THE ONE
WHO ASKS, THE NEIGHBOUR AND THE DESTITUTE.
(Musnad Ahmad)

WARNING TO THOSE WHO ARE NEGLECTFUL IN

DISCHARGING ZAKAAH

* AND LET NOT THOSE PEOPLE THINK WHO

WITHHOLD THAT FROM WHICH ALLAH HAS
BESTOWED ON THEM FROM HIS BOUNTY THAT IT IS
GOOD FOR THEM. IN REALITY IT WILL BE WORSE FOR
THEM. (What they withheld) WILL BE TIED LIKE A
COLLAR TO THEM ON THE DAY OF QIYAAMAH...
(Surah Aali Imraan)

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* ANYONE WHOM ALLAH HAS GIVEN WEALTH BUT HE
DOES NOT PAY ITS ZAKAAH, THEN ON THE DAY OF
QIYAAMAH HIS WEALTH WILL BE PRESENTED TO HIM IN
THE FORM OF A BALD-HEADED POISONOUS SERPENT
WITH TWO POISONOUS GLANDS, AND IT WILL ENCIRCLE
ITSELF AROUND HIS NECK AND BITE HIS CHEEKS AND
SAY: I AM YOUR WEALTH, I AM YOUR TREASURE.
(Bukhaari)

* A COMMUNITY DOES NOT EVADE GIVING ZAKAAH

EXCEPT THAT THEY DEPRIVE THEMSELVES FROM RAIN.
IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE ANIMALS, IT WOULD NEVER
HAVE RAINED. (Al Mu’jamul Kabeer)

* THE EVADER OF ZAKAAH WILL BE IN THE FIRE ON THE

DAY OF QIYAAMAH. (Al Mu’jamus Sagheer)

ON WHOM IS ZAKAAH COMPULSORY

Zakaah is compulsory if the following conditions are found in a

person:

1. Islam. The person has to be a Muslim.

2. A free person. Zakaah is not compulsory on a slave.

3. Ownership. The person has to own wealth. It must not be the

wealth of someone else in his possession.

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4. Zakaah will not be given from the wealth of an insane person
and from the wealth of a child until the child matures. Zakaat
will be given one year after maturity if the Nisaab of Zakaah is
possessed.

5. Nisaab. He has to at least own the amount on which Zakaah

becomes compulsory. The Nisaab differs in different types of
wealth. This will be explained later. Zakaah is not compulsory
on a person who owns less than the Nisaab of Zakaah.

6. An Islamic year (12 Islamic months) has to pass in the

ownership of the wealth.

ITEMS ON WHICH ZAKAAH BECOMES COMPULSORY

1. Camels, cattle, sheep and goats.

2. Gold.
3. Silver.
4. Farm produce.
5. Stock in trade.
6. Cash.

1. A person has to own at least five camels for Zakaah to

become compulsory on it. The minimum amount of cattle for
Zakaah to become compulsory is thirty and the minimum
amount for sheep/goats is forty.
Consult with the Ulama for further details on Zakaah on animals
and farm produce.

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2. Zakaah is compulsory on gold and silver in whatever form,
e.g. in the form of coins, jewellery, etc. Also, although the use
of silver and gold dishes, cutlery etc. is not permissible but
Zakaah will be compulsory on it.

Zakaah is not compulsory on 9 carat gold because the alloy

content is more than the gold. Zakaah will be compulsory on 18
carats and higher.

For Zakaah to become compulsory on gold in one’s possession,

the person has to own at least 87.9 grams of gold. Silver has to
be at least 612.44 grams. This is referred to as the Nisaab of
gold and silver.

3. Stock in trade. This is goods in one’s possession for trade

purposes. Zakaah on it will be paid according to the wholesale
market value. The stock has to be equivalent to the current value
of the Nisaab of silver or more.

4. Cash. For Zakaah to become compulsory on cash it also has

to be equivalent or more in value than the current silver Nisaab.

The monetary value of gold and silver changes daily. Consult

with the Ulama regarding this monetary value for the day you
want to give Zakaah.

As long as one owns an amount equivalent to the Nisaab of

Zakaah or more, Zakaah will be given once a year, every year.

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AMOUNT OF ZAKAAH

Zakaah for gold, silver, stock in trade and cash is 2.5% (a

fortieth part) annually.
Zakaah for the gold, silver and stock in trade can be given in
cash.

WHOM CAN ZAKAAH BE GIVEN TO

Zakaah can only be given to a Muslim who qualifies to accept

Zakaah. Zakaah cannot be given to non-Muslims or to such
Muslims who do not qualify to accept Zakaah.

There are seven categories of people whom Zakaah can be given

to:

1. Fuqaraa. Fuqaraa is the plural of Faqeer. Faqeer is a person

who does own some wealth (he earns) but he always has a
shortfall (he always has less than the Nisaab amount). The
condition of a Faqeer is higher than a Miskeen. So, although the
person has a house, some clothes, etc. but because he cannot
meet his necessary expenses, Zakaah can be given to him.

2. Masaakeen. Masaakeen is the plural of Miskeen. A Miskeen

is a poor person who has no wealth and hardly owns anything.

3. Aamileen. Aamileen is the plural of Aamil. This is a person

appointed by the Muslim ruler to collect Zakaah from the
people. This applies in Muslim countries and not in western
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countries. The collectors of Zakaah in western countries are not
allowed to take a salary from Zakaah funds.

4. Riqaab. Riqaab are slaves who have a contract with their

masters to buy their freedom from them. This slave is called a
Mukaatab.

5. Ghaarimeen. These are people in debt; their liabilities are

more than their assets. Zakaah can be given to them to pay their
debts.

6. Mujaahideen. These are people fighting in the Path of Allah

and do not have sufficient wealth for their needs. This also
includes students of Deen who need wealth to sustain
themselves. It is more rewarding to give Ulama and Deeni
students who qualify.

7. Travellers. Zakaah can be given to a person who is a traveller

and stranded. Although the person has money at home, but
because of being stranded en-route and he has no access to his
money, Zakaah can be given to him. He will only be allowed to
take according to his immediate needs and not more.

THOSE WHO ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ACCEPT

ZAKAAH

There are five categories of people who cannot accept Zakaah:

1. A wealthy person i.e. a person who has or earns sufficient for

his needs.
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2. Alawis and Sayyids. These are the direct descendants of
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam), Zakaah cannot be
given to them. It can also not be given to the descendants of
Sayyidina Abbaas, Sayyidina Ja’far Sayyidina Aqeel and
Sayyidina Haarith bin Abdul Muttalib Radhiyallaahu Anhum.

3. An immature child who is under the care of someone. This is

because he is not in need and the other person is taking care of
his needs. Yes, if the father can accept Zakaah then the child can
too.
A mature child will be assessed separately and not according to
the status of the father.

4. A person who owns goods in excess of his needs and the

excess reaches the value of Nisaab.

5. A non-Muslim.

Voluntary (Nafl) charity; Nafl Sadaqah, Lillah can be given to

the categories mentioned above.

IMPORTANT POINTS

* Zakaah becomes compulsory every year, once a year.

* For the Zakaah to be valid, it is necessary to have the Niyyah

of Zakaah. The Niyyah has to be made before giving it. A
Niyyah made after giving it is not valid. That given amount will
not be Zakaah.

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* If the amount of money is equal to the Nisaab or more at the
beginning of the year and increases during the year, Zakaah will
be given on the entire amount at the end of the year.

* If a person possesses the amount of Nisaab or more at a

certain point of time and for some time in-between the amount
decreases and then increases again by the end of that year,
Zakaah will be compulsory on him.

* A person’s year will commence from the time he becomes

owner of the Nisaab amount, e.g. if a person became owner of
the Nisaab amount on the 15th of Shawwaal, Zakaah will
become compulsory on him on the 15th of Shawwaal the
following year. If he became the owner of such wealth on the
25th of Rajab, Zakaah will be compulsory on him on the 25th of
Rajab the following year, and so forth. So, each person’s year
will be at a different time. A person’s year will begin from the
time he possesses wealth equal to Nisaab or more.

* If a person possesses both gold and silver but both are less
than their respective Nisaab, both will be joined and if it reaches
the Nisaab of silver, Zakaah will be given. Gold and silver will
be added together to reach Nisaab.

* As soon as the 12 months pass on the wealth, it is compulsory

to give out the Zakaah immediately. It is not permissible to
delay it without a valid reason. It is not necessary to wait for the
month of Ramadhaan to give out Zakaah. It should be given as
soon as it is due.

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* Zakaah cannot be given to one’s parents, grandparents and
higher. It cannot be given to one’s children, grandchildren and
lower.

* A husband cannot give his wife nor can she give him Zakaah.
All other relatives can be given Zakaah if they qualify. It is
more rewarding to give relatives who qualify.

* Zakaah cannot be given for the building and maintenance of a

Masjid, for salaries of Imams and Muadh-dhins, or any other
salaries.

* If a person gave someone a loan, that amount although still

outstanding will be included when calculating Zakaah and
Zakaah will be given on it. Zakaah on it can be paid whenever
the person’s Zakaah is due or it can be paid for the few years it
was outstanding when receiving payment.

* Zakaah paid in advance is valid. Deduct the advanced payment

at the time of calculating Zakaah.

* Zakaah is not paid on the value of properties rented. The

income from these properties will included when calculating
Zakaah.

* In the month Zakaah is due, the payments for that month can
be first deducted and Zakaah given on the balance.

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* When giving Zakaah, it is not necessary to tell the person it is
Zakaah. Even if the person was told it’s a gift but the giver made
the intention of Zakaah, the Zakaah will be valid.

* It is Makrooh to give a person above the Nisaab amount unless

he has debts more than the Nisaab.
* If Zakaah was given to someone who was considered poor but
later it became apparent that he is not poor, the Zakaah will be
valid if the giver was satisfied that he was a poor person at the
time he gave it to him. The Zakaah does not have to be repeated.
* If it was mistakenly given to a non-Muslim, then the Zakaah
must be repeated.

THERE IS NO ZAKAAH ON:

* Machinery used for manufacturing.

* Personal belongings such as clothes, computer, car, house,

household goods, etc.

* Precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, etc.

* Precious metals besides gold and silver, such as platinum, etc.

Zakaah will become compulsory on the above if it is stock in

trade.

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ADVICE

Be careful who you give your Zakaah to. There are many
unscrupulous people out there collecting Zakaah, whether in an
individual capacity or under the name of an organisation that are
not eligible to accept Zakaah, abuse Zakaah funds, pocket the
Zakaah for themselves or do not give it to qualified recipients.

ِِ‫ـح َّمد‬
َ ‫هِس ِّيدنَاِ ُم‬ َ ‫لِ َخْي‬
َ ‫ِخلق‬ ِ ٰ ‫َعالِ َع‬
ِ ٰ ‫ِص َّلِاهللُِت‬
َ ‫َو‬

ِِ،ِ‫ْي‬ َ ‫ِصحبهِ َاج‬

َ ‫ـمع‬ َ ‫لِِٰال‬
َ ‫هِو‬ ِ ٰ ‫ّوِ َع‬

ِ،ِ‫ْي‬ َّ ‫ـمت َكِيآِ َار َح َم‬

َ ‫ِالراحـم‬ َ ‫ب َرح‬

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