Library Islam Islam: Faith, Practice & History Part II: Laws & Ethics Lesson 31-Islamic Economic System (2) 2. Obligatory ZakÄt
2. Obligatory ZakÄt
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2. Obligatory ZakÄt
(A) Sharing The Natural Resources
ZakÄt, according to the Shi‘a school of thought, is limited to the following nine items:
I. Coins:
1. Gold Coins. 2. Silver Coins.
II. Cattle:
3. Goats and sheep. 4. Cows.
5. Camels.
III. Crops:
6. Wheat. 7. Dates.
8. Barley. 9. Raisins.
These are the nine items on which zakÄt is wÄjib. At this stage of our discussion, we will not go into details of the rules to explain how much becomes wÄjib on which item at what time. We shall only mention some details about zakÄt on crops.
ZakÄt on crops becomes wajib only when the production reaches the minimum nisÄb (the specific amount or quantity on which zakÄt becomes wÄjib). The nisÄb for each of the four crops mentioned above is 846 k.g. So if you produce less than 846 k.g. of wheat, then there is no zakÄt on you.
The amount you have to pay as zakÄt tax depends on the methods used for watering the crops:
· if the farm was watered by a river or by rain, then you have to pay 10% of the total crop.
· if the farm was watered by drawing water from a well or by using modern machines, then you have to pay 5% of the total crop.
So if you produced 100,000 k.g. of wheat and you had watered your farm through a near-by river, then you have to pay 10,000 k.g. wheat as zakÄt. But if you used modern technology to water your farm, then you have to pay 5,000 k.g. wheat as zakÄt.
(B) ZakÄtu ’L-Fitra: Sharing On The Day Of ‘Iddu ’L-Fitr:
Besides the zakÄt mentioned above on the natural resources, Islam has introduced a zakÄt common to all affluent people on the occasion of `iddu 'l-fitr, the celebration which occurs after the end of RamadhÄn. This zakÄt is known as zakÄtu 'l-fitra.
By “affluent” we mean anyone who can provide the necessary expenses of his self and his dependents for a year.
The amount to be paid depends the one's eating habits and the number of his dependents. One has to pay three kilos of wheat or rice (or its market value) on behalf of himself and each of his dependents. So if a person has a wife and three children, then he must pay fifteen kilos of wheat or rice, or its monetary value.
It becomes due on the eve of `Iddul 'l-fitr and must be paid before one performs the special salÄt of `idd. This zakÄt is to be paid to the poor and the needy so that they may be able to share in the happiness and joy of the day of `iddu 'l-fitr.
