Obligatory contributions

OBLIGATORY CONTRIBUTION
This legally fixed charity is to be paid annually by a
Muslim towards the support of the poor and other
categories of deserving persons according to the
Islamic Law. (TBI, p. 105)
Every Muslim who does not want to pay this
contribution is warned severely in Surah 9, a
chapter originally referring to the Jihad but today
used as a general statement:
"Those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in
the Way of Allah: announce unto them a most
grievous penalty ... On the Day when it (Wealth) will
be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be
branded with their foreheads, their flanks and their
backs... ’This is the (treasure) which you hoarded
for yourselves: taste ye, then, the treasures ye
stored up!’"
Surah 9:34-35
"O ye who believe! spend out of (the bounties) We
have provided for you, before the Day comes when no
bargaining (will avail), nor friendship, nor
intercession".
Surah 2:254
There is a detailed law on Zakat. Not everything is
subject to it and not on the same rate. Jewellery
worn by women, precious stones not used in trade,
machinery in a factory and other personal belongings
such as a car or a house not used to earn money
are excempted from Zakat. Some products are liable
with 5% (fruits not watered naturally), others with
10% (fruits watered naturally). But an overall 2.5 %
of the total net wealth is rated.
Apart from Zakat (the obligatory charity) there is
also the Sadaqah , the voluntary charity. It is
regarded as a meritorious act and is recommended
by both Qur’an and Hadith:
"God will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give
increase for deeds of charity; for He loveth not
creatures ungrateful and wicked".
Surah 2:276
This concept has been expanded in Islam to include all
kinds of help, e.g. a kind word, feeding the hungry or
teaching poor children.
Other types of Sadaqah are done to earn God’s
favour:
digging a well
building an orphanage or madrasa for poor children
building mosques
The Muslim ideal is expressed by Quraishy like this:
"Indeed if the Muslims all around the world try to practice
this charity regularly and honestly, there can remain no
hungry and naked among them. Those among them who
try to evade Zakat and keep themselves aloof from the
misery of the needy are indeed committing sin".
TBI, p. 117

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