The following are some verses from the Holy Qur'an and some Ahadith showing the importance and benefits of Zakaat.

Verses from the Holy Qur'an:

1. The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (al-Baqarah:261)
    
2. By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love; and Allah knows well whatever you give". (Aal-i-lmran: 92)
    
3. "And nothing do you spend in the least (in His cause) but He replaces it, for He is the Best of those who grant Sustenance." (Sabaa: 39)
    
4. "And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts, which Allah has given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them. No, it will be worse for them. Soon shall the things, which they covetously withheld, be tied to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment. To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah knows all that you do." (Aal-i-lmran: 180)
    
5. "Of their good take alms, so that you might purify and sanctify them …" (Tauba: 103)

Ahadith-e-Mubarakah:

1. Hazrat Umar Farooq (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that the loss of wealth that one suffers on land or sea is due to not paying Zakaat. (Tibraani)
    
2. Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that three persons would enter the Hell first. One of them, is the person who does not give Allah's rightful share (Zakaat & Sadaqah) from his wealth. (Ibn-e-Khazema & Habaan)
    
3. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that wealth does not decrease when you give Sadaqah; and Allah increases the esteem of the one who forgives other people's mistakes; and Allah raises the status of the one who practices humbleness for His sake. (Bukhari & Muslim)
    
4. Hazrat Abu Ayyub (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that a man asked the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) about a deed that would take him to Heaven. Our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied: Pray to Allah. Do not commit Shirk (do not hold any partners with Him), keep performing Salaah, give Zakaat, and be kind to everyone. (Riyad-us-Saliheen)
    
5. Hazrat Abdullah bin Masu'd (radi Allahu anhu) has said that we were commanded to perform Salaah and give Zakaat, and that Salah is not accepted of the person who does not give Zakaat despite eligibility. (Tibraani)
    
6. Bazzaz narrated from Hazrat Alqamah (radi Allahu anhu) reporting that our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said that the completion of one's Islam is dependent upon giving away Zakaat from one's wealth.

It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakaat the following benefits are derived:

1. Gain the pleasure of Allah,
    
2. Increase in wealth and protection from losses,
    
3. Allah's forgiveness and blessings,
    
4. Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death,
    
5. A shelter on the Day of Judgment,
    
6. Security from seventy misfortunes.

Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship, which has to be performed bodily, so is Zakaat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Those who fulfill this duty have been promised abundant reward in this world and Hereafter. Whoever evades Zakaat has been sternly warned in the Qur'an and Hadith of the consequences.

Linguistically, Zakaat has two meanings: purification and growth. Technically, it means to purify one's possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor, the indigent, the slaves or captives, and the wayfarer.

Major benefits of giving Zakaat:

1. It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to His Commands.
    
2. Zakaat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.
    
3. The Zakaat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a tof submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakaat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favour for which he is thankful to Allah.
    
4. Economically, Zakaat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakaat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor.

Zakaat is obligatory upon a person if:

1. He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim.
    
2. He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs).
    
3. It should be possessed for a complete lunar year.
    
4. It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc.

The amount of wealth, which makes one liable for Zakaat, is called Nisaab. The Nisaab as fixed by Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is as follows:

1. Gold: 87.48 (grams) or 7.5 Tolas
    
2. Silver: 612.36 (grams) or 52.5 Tolas
    
3. Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent amount of Gold or Silver.
    
4. Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such as gold, silver, currency, etc. and if it is equal to or in excess of the minimum Nisaab as specified in the above table, the Zakaat is due at the rate of 2.5%.
    
5. The payment of Zakast is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is possessed for a full Islamic year. If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakaat then must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end of the year.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAAT ARE IMPOSED:

1. Gold and silver, in any form
    
2. Cash, bank notes, stocks, bonds etc.
    
3. Merchandise for business, equal to the value of Nisaab
    
4. Livestock
    
5. On income derived from rental business

CALCULATION OF ZAKAAT

1. To calculate Zakaat on jewelry, etc. one must first determine the gold or silver content and then calculate the Zakaat according to current market price.
    
2. If the Gold possessed is less than 87.48 grams or if silver possessed is less then 612.36 grams, but the value of both combined is equal to or exceeds the Nisaab of either Gold or Silver, the Zakaat will be due.
    
3. In the event of an article not being of pure gold or pure silver, but containing a mixture of other metals and the gold or silver content is more than the other metal, it will be regarded as gold or silver and Zakaat will be due. But in the case where other metal/s is of greater quantity than either gold or silver, Zakaat will not be due on this article.
    
4. For stocks (shares held in a company), Zakaat is calculated based upon the current market value. As machinery, land, fixtures and fittings, furniture, buildings etc. are exempt from Zakaat, one is allowed to subtract these from the total asset. This could be obtained from annual reports. For example, if one has shares worth R1000 and machinery, land etc., are worth 5% of the total asset, then deduct R50 for these assets, afterwards deduct the liabilities of the company proportionately to the percentage of shares held. Zakaat must be calculated on the balance.

DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAAT

1. Zakaat should be given as soon as possible after it becomes due.
    
2. All of the Zakaat can be given to one person or to several persons.
    
3. A poor man cannot be paid for his work from Zakaat nor can Zakaat be given in payment of services, except to the people appointed by the Islamic government to collect Zakaat.
    
4. Zakaat will only be valid if the recipient is made the owner of that amount. If, for example, a few needy persons are fed a meal from Zakaat money, then Zakaat will not be fulfilled as they were not made owners of the food.
    
5. Zakaat cannot be given for the construction of Masjid, Madrasah, Hospital, a well, a bridge or any other public amenity.
    
6. Zakaat can be paid in kind from the same merchandise on which it is due, or alternatively, it could be paid in cash.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAAT ARE NOT IMPOSED:

1. On any metals other than gold or silver.
    
2. Fixtures and fittings of a shop, car, trucks or any delivery vehicle etc., which is used in running business.
    
3. Diamonds, pearls, other precious or semi-precious stones, which are for personal use.
    
4. There is no Zakaat on personal residence, household furniture, pots and pan, personal clothing, whether they are in use or not.
    
5. There is no Zakaat on a person whose liabilities exceeds or equals his assets. Some Mortgage in this country is not to be counted as personal liability for the Zakaat purpose.

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAAT:

The recipients of Zakaat, according to Qur'an are as follows: "Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; and for the wayfarer: (Thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom." (Qur'an 9:60)

1. FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab.
    
2. MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations.
    
3. AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government to collect Zakaat.
    
4. MU-ALLAFATU-QULUB: persons who have recently accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would help strengthen their faith.
    
5. AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to purchase their freedom on payment of fixed amounts.
    
6. AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do not possess any other wealth or goods with which they could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this debt was not created for any un-Islamic purpose.
    
7. FI-SABILILLAH: persons who have to carry out an obligatory deed which has become obligatory on them and subsequently (due to loss of wealth) are unable to complete that obligation.
    
8. IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during the course of their journey do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakaat in order to fulfill travel needs to return home.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAAT:

1. Zakaat cannot be given to the descendants of Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam);
    
2. Zakaat cannot be given to parents and grandparents. In the same manner one's children and grandchildren cannot be given Zakaat. A husband and wife cannot give Zakaat to each other.

Zakaat contributions cannot be given to such institutions or organizations who do not give the rightful recipients possession of Zakaat, but instead use Zakaat funds for constructions, investment or salaries.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAAT:

Allah says in the Qur'an: "And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding."