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The literal meaning of Zakat is pure. Zakat refers to the specific wealth that is given anually at a fixed rate to the people entitled to it. After paying Zakat, the remaining wealth becomes pure and with its barakah, man gets free from internal diseases such as miserliness, etc. For Zakat to be obligatory, it is necessary that a person is sane, mature, Muslim and free and possesses additional things than the necessities of life such as household goods, food, drink and clothing for a period of more than one year.
Fifty-two and a half tolas of silver and seven and a half tolas of gold, is the Nisab for silver and gold on which Zakat is compulsory at the rate of 2.5% (i.e. fortieth part). Nisab of Zakat on animals is: There are five camels, 30 cows and buffaloes and 40 goats on which Zakat is obligatory after complete year has passed with a fixed rate. Apart from this, it is necessary to pay Zakat after the year at the rate of two and a half percent on cash and goods trade.
The status of Zakat is not a voluntary charity, but it is mandatory and must be paid in every case. Zakat was obligatory on the previous nations as well. In Islam, Zakat became obligatory before fasting in 2 Hijri, the importance of Zakat can also be estimated from the fact that Allah Almighty has mentioned it along with Salah at several places in the Holy Quran.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلوةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَوةَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُوْلَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
Translation:
Establish Salat and pay Zakat and obey the messenger, so that you may be favored with mercy. (Surah An-Nur: 56)
The Holy Prophet said that Islam is based on five things. Bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and indeed Muhammad (s) is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakat, performing Hajj and fasting in Ramadan. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 8)
The four Caliphs during their rule, also implemented the system of Zakat along with other Islamic rules, and when some people refused to give Zakat during the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique , he intended to do Jihad against them and said:
By God! I will surely fight with him who made a difference between prayer and Zakat, By God! If they stopped giving a goat that they used to give the Holy Prophet definitely fight against them. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1400)
The Holy Prophet said:
"When people abandon paying Zakat, rain is withheld from the sky, and if there are no animals, it will never rain." (Sunan Ibn Majah: 4019)
i. Usher
The literal meaning of Usher is "tenth". As per religious terms, Usher is the Zakat paid on the agricultural produce. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَأتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِه
Translation:
And pay its due on the day of harvest. (Surah Al-An'am: 141)
Any land, whether it is irrigated by rain or springs, is entitled to Usher, i.e. one-tenth (ten percent) of the produce. And the land which is irrigated by well water or artificially is not entitled to one-tenth of the produce but by paying half-Ushar i.e. five percent only. Usher is not paid by paying the government taxes. Usher is also like Zakat, the difference is only that Zakat is levied on wealth whereas Usher is levied on agricultural produce. For payment of Zakat, it is necessary to pass the year on property or goods but in case of Usher, it is not compulsory for a complete year to pass. Instead, if a person gets produce twice a year, then bi-annual payment of Usher is also compulsory.
ii. Importance of Zakat in Islamic Economic System
In the economic system of Islam, Zakat has the same status as the soul has in the human body. Poverty and unemployment is eradicated from Zakat and a welfare society is formed. Wealth remains in circulation which makes the distribution of wealth fair. As a result, it helps in the eradication of crime and cruelty. Begging stops. Wealth is not confined to a few hands. The division of society in classes diminishes as a result of the payment of Zakat.
In order to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state, it is necessary to make the system of Zakat effective so that economic justice is established and the blessings of this system are attained.
