Message #16430

[Heba E. Husseyn]

If you have the time could you please post in order of Allah's command what zakat would be first, second and so on with a list of all eligible for zakat.

Walaikum Salaam brother Danny.  Here's a point-wise summary.

(1)  One needs to have the intention (niyyah) for zakah (charity). Charity must be given humbly with the thought of Allah.  (Ref.V.2:264).

(2)  Charity begins at home.. includes parents, other family members (if they're poor), orphans or whoever you know is needy. (Ref. V.2:215).

(3)  Charity to the needy not related to you to be from "superfluous" savings. (V.2:219). But supporting needy parents is one's duty and should be done with one's regular income.

(4)  The Quran has also instructed zakah as farm tax, that is, on the day farmers harvest their crops they have to pay some charity to the poor.  This is of course only for farmers. (V.6:141).

(5)  Those unable to afford charity may politely excuse themselves.  Allah is Most Merciful. (2:263).

(6)  If we're giving charity in kind like clothes, food, household items etc., these should be of acceptable quality. (V.2:267).  Shouldn't be for the purpose of clearing up the junk in our homes and dumping it on the poor.

(7)  Try to give charity (whatever bit one can afford) also in times of adversity.  I'm sure it would carry lot of blessings. (Ref.V.3:134).

(8)  The amount of zakah is not mentioned in the Quran because the financial means/resources/job earnings of every individual is different.  Allah does not want to burden anyone beyond their means.  Thus, Allah has left it upon each person to decide the amount they can comfortably afford.  If a rich person is paying much less than his means, Allah knows it. The amount of zakah fixed at 2.5% is from hadith.  The Quran has fixed no such flat rates.

Please note. Some people think V.65:7 of Surah At-Talaq to be zakah.  This Verse doesn't refer to zakah. Instead it's support money to be paid by a man to his wife, if they're separated.

This is the summary.  I would advise you to also go through the original.  It's more comprehensive for a better understanding.

Is zakat need to be paid as and when income is recieved event month or at the end of the year??

It's entirely up to you brother.  Whichever you find more convenient or easier.
Makes absolutely no difference.

Also would it be that true that zakat is paid on income only as in income gain.

By reading V.2:219 which states to spend of that which is "superfluous," I would understand income gain.  However it again depends how much a person has in reserve after meeting all their needs.  In the case of a straightened person living from cheque to cheque, it may be that his savings through income gain is very meager. And with the sort of high-cost infrastructure we have today, a small saving isn't a luxury.  It's a necessity for oneself and family for essential unforeseen expenses, emergencies .. just in case.  Unfortunately our jurists just don't understand such realities.  But Allah does.

Furthermore, the jurists also wrangle whether to pay zakah on income or assets.  Some say the former while some opine the latter.  Again, it's up to every person.  They can make their own decisions, whatever suits them.  Generally I would surmise, paying charity from total assets is for those who are very wealthy .... the kind of people who don't earn monthly or weekly salaries like the average populace but who simply keep stacking up their huge quarterly or half yearly profits.  I suppose for the average working person, paying from income savings would be more feasible.  This is my personal opinion.