Zakâh and Sadaqah
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all
things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human
beings in trust. The word zakâh (or zakat) means both 'purification'
and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion
for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting
back balances and encourages new growth.
Zakah is collected by companions our our Shaykh, Sidi
Muhammad al-Jamal, and sent to him in Jerusalem right around
the beginning of the month of Ramadan. Sidi used this money to purchase
food and goods for the poor people in and around the holy city.
The amount of the zakah is 2.5% (or 1/40). Sidi has instructed his
American students to figure zakah as follows:
- Take your total assets including house, cars, major household
goods, bank accounts, real estate, etc. Figure the current used
or market value, not the price when it was purchased.
- Subtract outstanding debt.
- Multiply by .025 - this means 2.5% of the net, positive value
of your assets.
- Zakah is based on assets. It is not an income
tax.
If you end up in negative numbers, still feel into what you can
give. For example, those who have no assets but have income might
want to pay a percentage of their income, even though this is not
the traditional manner of figuring zakah.
It is important to give one's zakah during Ramadan
and early in the month is best.
Send your zakah payments to:
Shadduli Center
1 Fortuna Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508
You may call the Shadduli Center at 415-258-9920 with any zakah
questions.
A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqah,
and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated
as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even
meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'
The Prophet, may Allah's peace be upon him, said: 'Charity is a necessity
for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?'
The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit
and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions
asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should
help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if
he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to
do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet
said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.' |
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