Islam is a perfect religion, and addresses all the needs of humanity. Islamic laws have been framed taking into consideration several aspects of the human society. It is for this reason that Islam introduced ‘Khums and Zakaat’ so as to address the economic needs of the Islamic society. If Muslims pay their ‘Khums and Zakaat’ regularly and sincerely, there will not be a single Muslim suffering from poverty and destitution.
Paying Zakaat is obligatory on the following:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Dates
- Dried grapes (kishmish)
- Gold
- Silver
- Camels
- Cows
- Goats and sheep
Details about when zakaat becomes obligatory and the quantity of
zakaat, are mentioned in the ‘Tauzihul Masaa’il’. Zakaat can be expended on the following things:
Constructing hospitals, schools, colleges, mosques, religious schools (madressa), roads, bridges, parks, agricultural institutions, organising marriages of poor people, paying off the dues of the indebted, financial problems of those who are travelling, etc.
From this we get an idea of how important a role zakaat plays in the social development of the Islamic society.
Khums
Muslims make a profit from trade, service, business, etc. After deducting their annual (permissible) expenses, it is obligatory upon them to pay 20% of the balance amount as ‘Khums.’
Khums is the right of Imam-e-Zamana (a.t.f.s.). In his occultation, he (a.t.f.s.) has commanded us to refer to the Mujtahideen and surrender the khums amount to them.
One half of Khums is expended to fulfill the needs of the destitute and deprived Saadaat The other half is utilised for various other purposes like the propagation of Islam, for the education of Muslims, to fulfill the needs of those who are busy in propagating religion, for publishing and distribution of religious books. But regardless of the purpose for which Khums is expended, consent of the Mujtahid is necessary.
We should give Khums and strengthen the cause of Islam. It is our responsibility that we should not allow the religious activities to be weakened.
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