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In
the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever-Merciful
Charity towards man, in the widest sense of the word, is the cornerstone
of the Islamic society and a constant theme in the Quranic teachings.
There are two kinds of charities in Islam: the obligatory and the
voluntary. The obligatory charity is called Zakat while the voluntary
charity is called Sadaqah.
The concept of Zakat was not totally new to Islam; similar alms
giving had been enjoined upon the Israelites and the Christians
as well. In Islam, the Zakat takes the form of a prescribed contribution
based on a person's wealth and income. The rate of contribution
varies with the kind of property owned but, on an average, works
out to two and one half percent of the total value. The proceeds
of Zakat are supposed to be devoted towards:
o relieving poverty and distress
o helping those in debt
o providing comfort and convenience for travelers
o providing stipends
for scholarships
o providing ransom for prisoners of war
o propagation of Islam
o meeting the expenses for the collection of
Zakat
o other things beneficial for the society
Zakat, therefore, is a duty enjoined by God in the interest of
the society as a whole. While on one hand these charitable contributions
provide for the needs of the society, on the other hand the act
of giving in the name of God purifies the heart of the contributor
from selfishness and greed.
o Philosophy of Zakat a Speech delivered by Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad,
former Chief Missionary East Africa, at the 1975 UK Annual Gathering
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