- It was narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1898]
Are we busy planning our schedule for Ramadan? The answer to this can be a yes or a no. Although we acknowledge the significance of Ramadan, the 4th pillar of Islam, we often lack behind in taking the appropriate preparations that we should be in order to prepare for the best month of the year. When Ramadan is the month of prayers, perseverance, patience and a lot more, many of us spend our days and nights of this blessed month in calculating and paying zakat. But should we pay our zakat only during the month of Ramadan? Let me intensely think over it. Is it? Let’s have a look at what our religion has to say about it.
Muslims know that they must pay zakat once a year because it is the third pillar of Islam, a fundamental part of completing a Muslim’s faith. “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” [Qur’an: Chapter 9, Verse 103]
This shows that paying zakat is an effective system of providing social and economic benefits within a community. There is no wrong in paying zakat in the month of Ramadan but assuming it to be the only month for doing so is inappropriate. Infact, it is a common misconception amongst the Muslim Ummah
Zakat can be due at any time of the year; it depends on the circumstances of a person. On the day that a person becomes Sahib-un-Nisab (owner of the minimum amount of wealth that is considered zakat payable), he/ she must calculate and pay his/her zakat exactly one lunar year from the day he/she started attaining that wealth. Many people choose to pay their zakat during Ramadan because of the increased reward, but this can sometimes lead to the delay in payment by the community. Zakat is a crucial responsibility on the Muslims and it is inadvisable to postpone the payment when it is due. Thus, we should not wait till the month of Ramadan to disburse our zakat. Whenever it is due, we need to pay it, be it the month of Ramadan or not.
There are a few misconceptions regarding the payment of zakat which needs to be cleared. People claim that paying zakat purifies all wealth, including haram money like interest. Please note that zakat paid for haram means does not earn any reward for the person. Zakat purifies wealth earned through halal means only. Zakat not only needs to be paid on your nisab amount of money, but also on many types of wealth.
This includes gold, silver, cash savings, business stock, shares, pension, property (other than that in which you reside) and money lent to other people. It is claimed that the husband`s duty is to pay for his wife`s zakat. It must be clarified that the husband is not accountable to pay his wife`s zakat. As it is the wife`s wealth, the sole duty is on her to pay for it. Nevertheless, if the husband willingly approaches to pay his wife`s zakat, it should be appreciated and not scorned down upon. It should be noted down that Zakat-al-fitr and zakat are not similar entities. Both Zakat-al-fitr and zakat need to be paid separately. It is also encouraged to give zakat to your extended family and the needy people around you.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity and charity given to a relative is charity and upholding of family ties” [Ahmad, al-Nasaa’i] So who wouldn`t want to earn two rewards through a single deed? I am sure all of you have raised your hands and are all set to earn Allah`s Pleasure through that one deed!
The accurate calculation of zakat is very important. Thus, we should turn to somebody knowledgeable in order to get the figure right.
Now, we know that zakat can be paid whenever it is due. Thus what is now our biggest concern? Ramadan! Ramadan! Ramadan! The best time of the year is almost here. Our wait is finally about to end. We should indulge ourselves in formulating a vigorous and effective Ramadan plan in order for us to attain the spiritual peace and pleasure that we have been longing for all throughout the year.
Did you ever hear any incidence of stampede of the Zakat receivers during the reign of Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz? Or, have you ever heard of the term ‘Clothes for Zakat’ in any of the books you have read or the lectures you have heard regarding the Sahabah? You never have. This is because back then, the true spirit of Zakat was to seek out the people who were eligible for Zakat, instead of asking them to come collect it. reaching them secretly was considered virtuous. Unfortunately, things have changed now and the spirit has been lost. Therefore, Zakat is neither collected by force by the government nor any war is declared against those who don’t pay Zakat properly.
Mentioned in the holy Quran 88 times, Zakat is considered as one of the founding pillars of Islam and an indispensable instrument of the Islamic society. All the scholars of Islam unanimously agreed that, to be a Muslim, it is mandatory to pay Zakat if s/he is eligible. This eligibility criterion for paying Zakat and receiving Zakat is also clearly defined in the Quran. However, due to lack of awareness, the concept of Zakat is often misunderstood in our society. Every year we can see how some Zakat payers distribute food and clothes of inferior quality to the destitute people who often fall victim in stampedes meant to collect those alms in the name of Zakat.
In this scenario, the Center for Zakat Management (CZM) has come up with the goal to revive the true spirit of Zakat, establish Zakat as a tool to alleviate poverty and discrimination in a sustainable way by proper utilisation of Zakat funds. Established in 2008, CZM has launched an array of initiatives to reach all segments of poverty-ridden, destitute people of our society with the Zakat funds, in order to make help them earn more for their family, get rid of poverty and the miseries of life – gradually and secretly. Here are the programs CZM offers, for the best utilization of Zakat funds:
- Jeebika: Livelihood and Human Development Program
- Mudareeb: Micro-enterprise Development Program
- Naipunno Bikash: Vocational Training and Employment Program
- Genius: Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Students
- Gulbagicha: Education & Nutrition program for the Children
- Ferdousi: Primary Healthcare Program
- Insaniat: Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Program
Jeebika
CZM’s flagship project called Jeebika is a livelihood and human development program through which 5404 families of more than 20 districts have become self sufficient by getting themselves involved in different income generating activities with the help of Zakat funds. By principle, CZM transfers the Zakat fund to the Zakat recipients in several instalments while providing them training on different need-based professions, enabling them to access the market and providing support to manage the collective Zakat fund. Up to the year 2015, more than BDT 4.5 crore has been transferred to the families under Jeebika projects around the country.
Mudareeb & Naipunno Bikash
CZM has been running two specific initiatives to encourage both youth and women entrepreneurship through skill development and self-employment. These initiatives are called Naipunno Bikasha and Mudareeb. Thanks to these initiatives, last year, more than one thousand members of the youth have been trained on different professions with the help of Zakat funds. 770 of them have been employed in different organisations.
Genius & Gulbagicha
With two of the programs called Genius and Gulbagicha, the welfare organisation CZM has taken the initiative to utilise Zakat funds to spread quality education among poor, underprivileged children. Every year, it provides scholarship to thousands of students all over the country and provides capacity development training to them. There is another dedicated pre-primary education program for the poor children living in urban slums and remote rural areas. With our own pre-primary learning centres, CZM has been providing innovative learning equipment and nutritious food for these children.
Ferdousi
With the initiative Ferdousi, CZM utilises Zakat fundsfor the improvement of maternal and neonatal health. Besides, it provides primary healthcare services, free of cost medicine, treatment by specialised doctors to the pregnant and lactating moms and organises awareness building sessions in the least privileged communities.
Insaniat
The program Insaniat is for the victims of accidents and emergency situations who need financial support to cover-up the losses and get recovery. Treatment of cancer, kidney and other complex diseases, support for the victims of natural calamities, education, loan repayment, etc. are provided with the Zakat fund. If you desire to ensure the effective use of your Zakat, CZM would be the best choice. Manage your Zakat through CZM, get ensured of its best utilization!
Pay your Zakat directly to CZM’s bank account:
Center for Zakat Management MSA No: 039 121 000 17568
Head Office Corporate Branch Exim Bank Bangladesh Limited
Or, call us to collect Zakat from your place.
