AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

are as follows: 

Zakat is obligatory only on Muslims. In an Islamic state, other taxes may be taken from non-Muslim residents, but Zakat cannot be taken from them, because Zakat is an act of worship, and only one who has faith is obligated to worship.

Zakat is obligatory on a sane and adult Muslim. Zakat is not obligatory on a child or an insane person.

Zakat is obligatory on a free person. Zakat is not obligatory on a slave, because a slave does not have control over his life or his wealth, and ownership is necessary for Zakat.

Zakat is obligatory only on a Sahib-e-Nisab — meaning Zakat is obligatory on the wealthy. It is not obligatory on the poor or an orphan.

*Writings in the Prophetic Era*

1. *Letters of Protection [Aman Nama]* — The Prophet (peace be upon him) had letters of protection written and given to many people and families, numbering in the hundreds. For example, he had Amir bin Fuhayrah, the freed slave of Hazrat Abu Bakr, write a letter of protection. Likewise, the Prophet (peace be upon him) granted letters of protection to the Jahina tribe, Banu Zur’ah, and Banu Rabba.

2. *Constitution of the Islamic State* — After arriving in Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a written charter drawn up, which was the constitution of the Islamic state he established. It contained several clauses, the details of which are present in books of Seerah.

3. *Census* — Upon reaching Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a census of Muslims conducted and kept its written record preserved. One narration mentions that the names of 1,500 Muslims were written, and another narration mentions 500. Therefore, the Muhaddithin think that he had the census conducted twice.

4. *Register of Mujahideen* — Whenever there was an occasion of a battle or jihad, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have a list of the Mujahideen prepared. Imam Bukhari established a chapter: “Those whose names were written in the army.”

5. *Deeds of Ownership [Milkiyat Nama]* — The Prophet (peace be upon him) granted property to many people and gave them written deeds of ownership. For example, he granted Muslim Udaba bin Farqat a piece of land in Makkah Mukarramah to build a house, and also gave him a document in which the location of the land was also written.

6. *Land Grants [Jagir Nama]* — Some individuals were granted land estates, and written documents acknowledging their ownership were also given. For example, Hazrat Zubair bin Awwam was granted the estate of the Surag area, and a written document was given to him.

7. *Endowment Deeds [Waqf Nama]* — When some companions endowed their property, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had endowment deeds written. For example, a piece of land in Khaybar came into Hazrat Umar’s share, and he endowed it on the advice of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The endowment deed was written with conditions that this land would not be sold, nor divided as inheritance, nor gifted.

8. *Sale Deeds [Bai Nama]* — When he bought and sold with some companions, he gave a written sale deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sold a slave to Ajza bin Khalid, and along with it was a written document in which there was an acknowledgment of that sale and purchase.

9. *Letters of Instruction [Hidayat Nama]* — There is evidence of written instructions being given to army commanders going on military expeditions and to officials appointed to different regions. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave Abdullah bin Jahsh, the army commander, a written instruction and ordered that it should not be read before reaching the designated place.

10. *Treaties [Mu‘ahada Nama]* — After arriving in Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) made treaties with various tribes so that a conducive environment for the call to religion could be created. Among such treaties, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which took place in 6 AH, is very famous. It is mentioned in detail in books of Hadith and Seerah.

11. *Letters * — The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent letters to various kings, in which the call to Islam was given. For example, after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent letters to six rulers through envoys.

12. *Documents for New Muslims [Saha’if]* — Sometimes individuals from newly Muslim tribes would come to the Prophet’s court to learn Islamic teachings, and when returning, they would request the Prophet (peace be upon him) to write down rulings and instructions for their tribe, and he would give them in writing.

13. *Dictation * — The Prophet (peace be upon him) dictated many things. That is, he would instruct a scribe: “Write down what I say,” and the scribe would write it word for word. Sometimes he would explain the subject matter, and whoever wrote it in a good manner, he would approve of it.

14. *Sermons * — Arrangements were made to write down the sermons he delivered on various occasions. In fact, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had them written down at the request of the companions.

15. *Letter of Condolence [Ta‘ziyat Nama]* — The son of Hazrat Mu‘adh bin Jabal passed away in Madinah while Hazrat Mu‘adh was in Yemen at the time. He was grieved. On that occasion, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) wrote a letter of condolence to Hazrat Mu‘adh.[Maktub][Imla][Khutbat]

*On which types of wealth is Zakat obligatory —*

1. *Ownership* — The wealth should be in the person’s possession and control.

2. *Surplus to need* — Zakat is obligatory on wealth that remains after fulfilling one’s basic needs.

3. *Growth potential* — Zakat is obligatory only on those assets that have the potential to grow or increase.

4. *Not in debt* — If a person is in debt and the amount of debt exceeds the nisab, then Zakat is not obligatory.

5. *Passage of a year* — Zakat is obligatory on wealth that has remained with a person for a full lunar year.

*Zakat on animals* —  

Camels:  

5 to 9: one goat  

10 to 14: two goats  

15 to 19: three goats  

20 to 24: four goats  

25 to 35: one one-year-old camel  

36 to 45: one two-year-old camel  

46 to 60: one three-year-old camel  

61 to 75: one four-year-old female camel  

76 to 90: two two-year-old female camels  

91 to 120: two three-year-old female camels  

*Recipients of Zakat* — They are those people who do not own the nisab amount of wealth.  

1. *Fuqara and Masakeen*: The poor and needy — those who are in want and whose needs are not being met.  

2. *‘Amileen*: Those appointed by the Islamic government to collect Zakat and run the system. If there is no Islamic government and Muslims themselves have arranged the distribution of Zakat, then the salaries of the workers can also be paid from Zakat.  

3. *Mu’allafat-ul-Quloob*: Those whose hearts are to be inclined toward Islam or to keep them firm on Islam. Hazrat Umar stopped this aid in his time because Islam had become dominant. But in the present age, this category is very important from the point of view of propagation and dawah of Islam. Some people think this has been abrogated — this is wrong, because Hazrat Umar could not abrogate any category of the Qur’an.  

4. *Riqab*: The category for freeing slaves. This was in the past when slavery was practiced. In the present time, this category can be used to free Muslim prisoners, as is the view of Imam Ahmad.  

5. *Gharimeen*: Debtors.  

6. *Fi Sabilillah*: In the path of Allah, meaning Jihad. Some scholars have taken this in a general sense.  

7. *Ibn-us-Sabil*: The traveler who, though wealthy at home, has become destitute during travel due to an accident or some other reason.  

All of these can be given Zakat. If one’s relative or neighbor is eligible for Zakat, then Zakat should be given to them first. However, Zakat cannot be given to one’s parents, grandparents, son, or daughter.