THE PRINCIPLES OF Zakah
RAMADAN
During the holy month of Ramadan Muslims purify themselves in many ways. We purify our minds of ill thoughts. We purify the body of bad foods; and during this month many of us purify our money by donating 2.5% of our wealth in the name of Allah, better known as giving Zakah. The principles of calculating Zakah are very strict and Muslims do their utmost to stick to these, and the criteria for receiving Zakah, is just as, if not more strict.
THE QUR’AN (SURAH 9, VERSE 60) MENTIONS WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ZAKAH:
“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy’ and for those employed to collect [Zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
THE CLASSICAL INTERPRETATION OF THIS AYAH OF THE QURAN IS AS FOLLOWS:
The poor
Those who have no income
The needy
Those that have an income, but is below the minimum requirement
Employees of Zakah
Those who identify the destitute and handle the Zakah
To free slaves
Those in bondage (slaves and captives)
To relieve those in hardship under debt
For the cause of Allah az'wajjal
Sympathisers
Those who may enter, or have entered in the fold of Islam
The wayfarer
Those stranded whilst travelling with few resources
Most people rely on their community leaders to determine how their Zakah is distributed, focusing on simple charity. However, there are many scholars who say Zakat can be used for political means if its directly focused on tackling those who want to further the oppression of Muslims through political means. This is exactly what MPACUK does. MPACUK is an organisation that strives towards educating and uniting the Ummah, to protect itself and fight injustice and oppression all across the globe. Our volunteers meet every week and take on many different activities to educate Muslims across the UK, and further away via the internet, about the importance of working together to defend and protect the Ummah. Insha’allah (God Willing) we will have many more successes – but we can only continue our work of fighting for and defending the Ummah, with the support and donations we get from you. MPACUK fall under point 7 ‘for the cause of Allah Az’Wajjal’, for the eligibility of Zakah . All the work we do is done in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah.
HOW TO DONATE?
‘A principle of jurisprudence states: if a thing which has been considered obligatory cannot be fulfilled without fulfilling another, then fulfilling the latter also becomes obligatory. Thus since protecting the rights of Muslims and empowering Muslims cannot be achieved without such institutions, it is imperative that Muslims support and maintain such institutions. Muslims should have no hesitation in giving part of their Zakah to Islamic Organisations which is providing a most timely and essential service for the cause of Islam and Muslims.’ SHAYKH AHMAD KUTTY, CANADA
We hope you will continue to support us and our work through your kind donations.