Do you give Zakat?

[PakLFC]

Who here gives Zakat? If so how do they do it and how much? I don't calculate my earnings like I should but give whatever can afford. I know its not really the Islamic way to do it.

 

[ataullah]

I give 2.5% of my earnings. So 25 pound for every 1000 pound i have.

 

[Black Zero]

Who here gives Zakat? If so how do they do it and how much? I don't calculate my earnings like I should but give whatever can afford. I know its not really the Islamic way to do it.

https://idrf.com/ramadan/#zakatcalculator

 

[Justcrazy]

I give , calculating at the end of the year what I have , 2.5 %

 

[notAgainPlease]

I give 2.5% of my earnings. So 25 pound for every 1000 pound i have.

THats not how it works my friend. Please educate yourself. It is very very important that you give whole of your zakat.

 

[Bilal7]

When my wife is gifted gold jewellery, a little part of me is already trying to work out the Zakat I will have to pay on it.

 

[Bilal7]

In all seriousness though, I love that Zakat is a pillar of Islam. Such a beautiful religion ours is, SubhanAllah.

 

[Ikball]

I do.
2.5% on my savings on which one year has passed.
usually its my Wife Jewlery, as I am unable to save money from my salary.

 

[Slog]

When my wife is gifted gold jewellery, a little part of me is already trying to work out the Zakat I will have to pay on it.

shouldnt she pay for it from her jewellery

 

[Slog]

also are you supposed to give zakat on yearly earnings

or your asset worth at end of year?

 

[TahirFan]

In South Africa we give a mimimum of 2.5 % of our earnings

A love the saying "It is in giving that you receive"

 

[kaayal]

I have some gold from my marriage. Since then every year i try to donate 1gold bangle to poor girls whose parents are struggling. Otherwise we serve food in Yatheemkhana with that money.

 

[LordEddardStark]

also are you supposed to give zakat on yearly earnings

or your asset worth at end of year?

Not earnings, just savings & assets at end of year. And those assets which are either staying idle or are being kept for earning revenue on them.

You'll pay Zakat on Jewelry and plots, but not on TV, Car or your residential house.

 

[Slog]

I have some gold from my marriage. Since then every year i try to donate 1gold bangle to poor girls whose parents are struggling. Otherwise we serve food in Yatheemkhana with that money.

what is your opinion on zakat on jewellery?

 

[Slog]

Not earnings, just savings & assets at end of year. And those assets which are either staying idle or are being kept for earning revenue on them.

You'll pay Zakat on Jewelry and plots, but not on TV, Car or your residential house.

so why is there zakat on jewellery

most people have them for sentimental purposes (and for occassional use) and have no plans to sell them and make money off them

 

[LordEddardStark]

I guess because it's not in usage for entire year, rather is used on one or two occasions and is kept idle for remaining part.

 

[kaayal]

what is your opinion on zakat on jewellery?

I don't use it at all except my meher. It is in my locker for past 3years. Better to be useful for someone else than been idle for the rest of my life.

And from what i know there is no need to pay zakaat till 60gms of gold. Above that one has to give 2.5% of the remaining gold. It will be big amount for those who stocks lots of gold in their loker but not for me.

I know someone who has 4kgs of gold. I wonder how much she pay for Zakaat.

 

[PakLFC]

I don't use it at all except my meher. It is in my locker for past 3years. Better to be useful for someone else than been idle for the rest of my life.

And from what i know there is no need to pay zakaat till 60gms of gold. Above that one has to give 2.5% of the remaining gold. It will be big amount for those who stocks lots of gold in their loker but not for me.

I know someone who has 4kgs of gold. I wonder how much she pay for Zakaat.

Mohtharma. Assuming you are a lady in India is jewellery Zakat a common practise in your country?

 

[kaayal]

Mohtharma. Assuming you are a lady in India is jewellery Zakat a common practise in your country?

Don't know about rest of India. But Kerala is the biggest consumer of gold in India. Most of the families invest in gold instead of land. When they make lavish weddings with lots of gold jewellery, most of us make a point to remind them about the zakat they need to pay. Whether they do it or not is another thing.

My family is pretty strict about zakat. My husband calculates it for me.

 

[Slog]

I don't use it at all except my meher. It is in my locker for past 3years. Better to be useful for someone else than been idle for the rest of my life.

And from what i know there is no need to pay zakaat till 60gms of gold. Above that one has to give 2.5% of the remaining gold. It will be big amount for those who stocks lots of gold in their loker but not for me.

I know someone who has 4kgs of gold. I wonder how much she pay for Zakaat.

thanks!

my mother has lots of jewellery for 30 years since she got married.

in rupee terms she has prolly paid multiple times more zakat on it than what was its original price in late 1980s

i keep telling her how it makes zero financial sense!

 

[Bilal7]

shouldnt she pay for it from her jewellery

Huh?

 

[Swashbuckler]

Looks like a wonderful concept. One question though, is Zakat given to only Muslims/Islamic institutions or is it for any needy person irrespective of religion? And can Zakat be given for some environmental cause or for animal shelter/welfare?

 

[Slog]

Huh?

whats the confusion?

 

[IAJ]

Huh?

What's up with this reply? It was a valid question.

I pay zakaat on my wife's jewelleries and I think that means I am the rightfully owner of that gold.

If I sell it, I can buy a new car

And the more Zakaat I have to pay the better sign is it because then I have more at my disposal. This is actually a gift from Allah SWT.

 

[Slog]

What's up with this reply? It was a valid question.

I pay zakaat on my wife's jewelleries and I think that means I am the rightfully owner of that gold.

If I sell it, I can buy a new car

And the more Zakaat I have to pay the better sign is it because then I have more at my disposal. This is actually a gift from Allah SWT.

what do you mean?

also what happens in this case. Lets say you have a significant amount of gold in the locker but are cash strapped and not much in the bank account. The gold is wife's jahez or whatever so obv selling it isnt desirable. So how do you pay zakat? I would assume sell part of the gold to pay for the zakat. But that makes no economic sense.

my question is why is there zakat on an asset that yields no economic value in most cases. And esp when its very possible that over a period of 15-20 years you would have paid more zakat on the gold then what you bought it for.

 

[IAJ]

what do you mean?

also what happens in this case. Lets say you have a significant amount of gold in the locker but are cash strapped and not much in the bank account. The gold is wife's jahez or whatever so obv selling it isnt desirable. So how do you pay zakat? I would assume sell part of the gold to pay for the zakat. But that makes no economic sense.

my question is why is there zakat on an asset that yields no economic value in most cases. And esp when its very possible that over a period of 15-20 years you would have paid more zakat on the gold then what you bought it for.

Well the more you earn, the more you have to pay, the more it will help the community. You pay only 2,5% every hundred more you earn, your situation get's healthier.

Here is what I think, could be wrong:
Well, it's quite obvious she has to sell it, when you as husband can not afford to pay Zakaat on it, I assume she has to do it as it is her belongings and someone has to pay if she is sahibe nisaab. Now I am using common sense so big apologies if I am telling something incorrect.

And remember that the gold your mom bought for 30 years ago is worth much more now. So she has allways opportunity to convert that in cash and consume it.

When I pay zakaat I use the international gold price as a foundation.

 

[Yossarian]

Do you give Zakat?

Yes. Although here it's collectively called tax:

Income tax, National Insurance, VAT (sales tax), Council tax, property tax ... just to name a few.

Just as Zakat is used to care for the poor and needy, so are the taxes listed above:
* Pensions for the elderly.
* Health services for those who are ill.
* Education for the young
* Social security for the unemployed, disabled and the poor at the bottom rungs of society.

 

[Yossarian]

^^^ Just to add.
I would gladly pay 2.5% of the value of my assets in Zakat, instead of all the aforementioned taxes that I currently pay, if that would please the 'religious scholars' and satisfy them that I am complying with religious edicts.

 

[TM Riddle]

Yes. Although here it's collectively called tax:

Income tax, National Insurance, VAT (sales tax), Council tax, property tax ... just to name a few.

Just as Zakat is used to care for the poor and needy, so are the taxes listed above:
* Pensions for the elderly.
* Health services for those who are ill.
* Education for the young
* Social security for the unemployed, disabled and the poor at the bottom rungs of society.

And financing wars in the middle east #just saying

 

[kaayal]

^^^ Just to add.
I would gladly pay 2.5% of the value of my assets in Zakat, instead of all the aforementioned taxes that I currently pay, if that would please the 'religious scholars' and satisfy them that I am complying with religious edicts.

Zakaat is not for pleasing or satisfying the "religious scholars". Nobody knows that we gave zakat to someone or to whom we gave. That's how it should be kept.

It is not just charity. It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.

 

[kaayal]

Looks like a wonderful concept. One question though, is Zakat given to only Muslims/Islamic institutions or is it for any needy person irrespective of religion? And can Zakat be given for some environmental cause or for animal shelter/welfare?

Mostly community oriented and that too after researching a lot. ie;to whom we should give and or not. It's a small amount tbh but a big one for that suffering people.

Don't know about the environmental cause and animal welfare. For this much more money need to be pumped out.

 

[Yossarian]

Zakaat is not for pleasing or satisfying the "religious scholars". Nobody knows that we gave zakat to someone or to whom we gave. That's how it should be kept.

It is not just charity. It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.

Correct. It's a tax on the wealthy and those who can afford it. To pay for the care and welfare of the needy, ill or poor. Which is now taken care of by Income tax, National Insurance, VAT, Council tax, Stamp Duty (property purchase tax) and other taxes, which didn't exist at the time Zakat was introduced, and which are many tens of times higher than the 2.5% Zakat.

As I said, I would gladly pay 2.5% of the value of my assets in Zakat, instead of all the aforementioned taxes that I currently pay.

 

[Yossarian]

Mostly community oriented and that too after researching a lot. ie;to whom we should give and or not. It's a small amount tbh but a big one for that suffering people.

Don't know about the environmental cause and animal welfare. For this much more money need to be pumped out.

That's why we pay taxes, at a far higher rate than 2.5%, for the "suffering people".

 

[Slog]

Correct. It's a tax on the wealthy and those who can afford it. To pay for the care and welfare of the needy, ill or poor. Which is now taken care of by Income tax, National Insurance, VAT, Council tax, Stamp Duty (property purchase tax) and other taxes, which didn't exist at the time Zakat was introduced, and which are many tens of times higher than the 2.5% Zakat.

As I said, I would gladly pay 2.5% of the value of my assets in Zakat, instead of all the aforementioned taxes that I currently pay.

If im not wrong there is an ayat (God forgive me if im wrong and its actually a hadith) which basically says that the government can take taxes from you APART from zakat. So zakat stays and has to be given regardless of what other tax regime is there

Theres no substitution

 

[Slog]

Yes. Although here it's collectively called tax:

Income tax, National Insurance, VAT (sales tax), Council tax, property tax ... just to name a few.

Just as Zakat is used to care for the poor and needy, so are the taxes listed above:
* Pensions for the elderly.
* Health services for those who are ill.
* Education for the young
* Social security for the unemployed, disabled and the poor at the bottom rungs of society.

....and add many other purposes which are far from helping the needy

Unless you believe iraqis deserved bombs on them

 

[kaayal]

Correct. It's a tax on the wealthy and those who can afford it. To pay for the care and welfare of the needy, ill or poor. Which is now taken care of by Income tax, National Insurance, VAT, Council tax, Stamp Duty (property purchase tax) and other taxes, which didn't exist at the time Zakat was introduced, and which are many tens of times higher than the 2.5% Zakat.

As I said, I would gladly pay 2.5% of the value of my assets in Zakat, instead of all the aforementioned taxes that I currently pay.

Not just giving money, one should ensure that it has reached in the correct hands or not. Nobody does that while giving tax.

 

[kaayal]

That's why we pay taxes, at a far higher rate than 2.5%, for the "suffering people".

It's quiet easy for me in India to find people who are actually "suffering". May be not in UK.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Looks like a wonderful concept. One question though, is Zakat given to only Muslims/Islamic institutions or is it for any needy person irrespective of religion? And can Zakat be given for some environmental cause or for animal shelter/welfare?

Not sure about whether Zakat is limited to Muslims however, it is one of the fundamental principles of Islam for a Muslim to look after and care for everyone and anyone in his or her community and neighborhood, regardless of their faith, religion or race. You have no option. It is a must. Otherwise, you're in sin.

 

[Yossarian]

If im not wrong there is an ayat (God forgive me if im wrong and its actually a hadith) which basically says that the government can take taxes from you APART from zakat. So zakat stays and has to be given regardless of what other tax regime is there

Theres no substitution

Oh, so you're saying there was a government that collected taxes from the population, quite apart from the Zakat that is, when the concept of Zakat first came about? Did everyone have to file their tax returns on an annual basis, with different tax bands depending upon your income, and was it automatically deducted from your wages on a PAYE basis?

 

[Yossarian]

....and add many other purposes which are far from helping the needy

Unless you believe iraqis deserved bombs on them

If the intentions are to keep me and my family safe, then I'm quite happy to have the government voted in by the people taking whatever actions they deem necessary to achieve that. I may not agree with the methods, but I have no objections to the objectives.

 

[Yossarian]

It's quiet easy for me in India to find people who are actually "suffering". May be not in UK.

Well if you're so concerned for the "suffering", why limit yourself to forking out only 2.5%? Why not keep for yourself just what is necessary for your basic needs, and use the rest to relieve the suffering of even more since it's obviously very easy for you to find them where you are? Crocodile tears me thinks.

 

[Poison]

Yossarian bhai I'm not really concerned about differing opinions in this regard but you cannot argue that the taxation we face in the West can be equated to Zakat. A vast majority of that taxation goes towards a social welfare system you may (in future) rely upon, and infrastructure that you do rely on - a form of investment in your future if you will. I'm interested to see how you can frame that as equivalent to charity (not sarcasm, I want an explanation)

 

[kaayal]

Well if you're so concerned for the "suffering", why limit yourself to forking out only 2.5%? Why not keep for yourself just what is necessary for your basic needs, and use the rest to relieve the suffering of even more since it's obviously very easy for you to find them where you are? Crocodile tears me thinks.

Lol wait....did i say any where that i pay only 2.5% of my asset??? It's the minimum that you should pay. And you don't know me to say how much i pay for a cause or whether it is crocodile tears or not. So give it a rest brother and let Allah be the Judge for it.

If you don't want to pay zakat then it's your problem. Not mine.

 

[Yossarian]

Yossarian bhai I'm not really concerned about differing opinions in this regard but you cannot argue that the taxation we face in the West can be equated to Zakat. A vast majority of that taxation goes towards a social welfare system you may (in future) rely upon, and infrastructure that you do rely on - a form of investment in your future if you will. I'm interested to see how you can frame that as equivalent to charity (not sarcasm, I want an explanation)

The explanation is very simple. Zakat was introduced as a form of tax. In fact it is a form of tax. Technically speaking, according to Islam, it is not voluntary, it is obligatory, and hence it's not charity - it's a tax, at a fixed rate of 2.5%.

Whereas charity, by it's very definition, is voluntary, and what one gives/donates (if one decides do so in the first place) is not decreed according to set rules, but one gives (or not gives) whatever one chooses.

What I find objectionable is failure to understand, or even attempt to understand, why a particular religious edit came about in the first place, it's purpose, it's benefits to the individual or to society as a whole. Whether that be Zakat, or slaughter via halal methods, or the concession of allowing up to four wives, or .. or ...or.

The various rules and edits that Islam decrees didn't come out of a vacuum - they had a purpose, an attempt to rectify some issue or other that was prevalent in the society at the time. That is no different to why (democratic) governments introduce new, or modify existing, laws in this day and age. That is why governments create (and/or reduce or increase) taxes - albeit depending upon which section of society they are trying to please (usually the section that elected the members of the government making/changing the rules at the time)

 

[Yossarian]

If you don't want to pay zakat then it's your problem. Not mine.

It's not a problem. I'm quite happy paying income tax, that goes towards funding my children's education, providing free health care, taking care of the elderly, the disabled, and those less well off, paying for the police and armed forces that keep me and my family safe, and various other aspects of society that ultimately benefit me and my family.

 

[notAgainPlease]

Looks like a wonderful concept. One question though, is Zakat given to only Muslims/Islamic institutions or is it for any needy person irrespective of religion? And can Zakat be given for some environmental cause or for animal shelter/welfare?

Needy muslim person only. You cant even donate to Syed (the family of prophet via his daugher)

This 2.5% is complusory but is advised to give much more and that could be given to anyone who is in need.

 

[notAgainPlease]

Well if you're so concerned for the "suffering", why limit yourself to forking out only 2.5%? Why not keep for yourself just what is necessary for your basic needs, and use the rest to relieve the suffering of even more since it's obviously very easy for you to find them where you are? Crocodile tears me thinks.

That's what a true muslim would do and have done in history. Keep what is needed and donate rest. But we are not very strong

Are you a muslim ? If not then why even get into this debate what is a pillar of religion ? There is no justification of it.

 

[Yossarian]

That's what a true muslim would do and have done in history. Keep what is needed and donate rest. But we are not very strong

Are you a muslim ? If not then why even get into this debate what is a pillar of religion ? There is no justification of it.

Muslim. Once a very devout Muslim. But now veering on the edge, mainly due to the contradictions and paradoxes that I cannot reconcile any more. Chiefly amongst them being that if everything that happens is due to God's will, and God is all powerful, then why are innocent babies and newborn sometimes allowed to suffer extreme agony, hunger, abuse, illness, deformity and often excruciating death if it's in God's power to alleviate it? In fact, if everything happens according to God's will, then it follows that it's God's will for the innocent young to suffer as mentioned?

And the parrot like answer given by the "faithful" is along the lines of "God knows best"!

 

[faraz39]

Who here gives Zakat? If so how do they do it and how much? I don't calculate my earnings like I should but give whatever can afford. I know its not really the Islamic way to do it.

There are two main ways of doing it and I'll mention the simpler one.

1. pick a date and write down your total liquid assets (savings, cash, etc.)
2. If this number is higher than ~$2,500 then your one year clock has begun to tick
3. Next year on the SAME date, if your total liquid assets are still higher ~$2,500 then you are required to pay 2.5% on this total amount
4. If your assets are not higher than $2,500 then you are not required to pay zakat. In this case, you keep watching your total liquid assets until they go above $2,500 and then you begin from step 1.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Yossarian]

There are two main ways of doing it and I'll mention the simpler one.

1. pick a date and write down your total liquid assets (savings, cash, etc.)
2. If this number is higher than ~$2,500 then your one year clock has begun to tick
3. Next year on the SAME date, if your total liquid assets are still higher ~$2,500 then you are required to pay 2.5% on this total amount
4. If your assets are not higher than $2,500 then you are not required to pay zakat. In this case, you keep watching your total liquid assets until they go above $2,500 and then you begin from step 1.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Where do you get this "...higher than ~$2,500 ..." figure?

As for "liquid assets (saving, cash, etc)", presumably you are also including jewellery and other non-essential goods and assets?

Furthermore, don't forget ~$2,500 may not be that much in somewhere like the USA, but it's a small fortune in many 3rd world countries.

Sounds as if it's another one of those ".. I heard it on the grapevine ..." type explanation.

 

[faraz39]

Where do you get this "...higher than ~$2,500 ..." figure?

As for "liquid assets (saving, cash, etc)", presumably you are also including jewellery and other non-essential goods and assets?

Furthermore, don't forget ~$2,500 may not be that much in somewhere like the USA, but it's a small fortune in many 3rd world countries.

Sounds as if it's another one of those ".. I heard it on the grapevine ..." type explanation.

Thanks for the questions Yossarian. I tried to keep it simple for everyone's understanding but perhaps more details are required.

1. The sources for my info is Fiqh-us-Sunnah (Sayyid Sabiq) and Fiqh of Zakat (Sh. Qaradawi). Plus studying the issue personally with scholars.

2. The minimum amount for qualification of zakat is called "nisab" which can be calculated using silver or gold. The weight used to calculate the amount is fixed and based on the Prophetic traditions (hadith). The prices varies each year depending on market prices of silver and gold. Rough calcs are $330 for silver and $3,700 for gold (I looked up the actual amount instead of guessing at ~$2,500).

3. I used the gold for this person because I wanted to make it easy on them (another principle in Islam is to make things easy for people when giving advice). The higher the nisab, the less likely people have to pay. Silver could also be used for qualification criteria which would mean more people have to pay zakat.

4. There is a difference of opinion on including jewellery (only gold counts). The opinions of Hanafi school of thought followed by South Asian Muslims includes it. But another strong opinion by Shafi school of thought says to include it if the gold is for investment purposes. So if the woman has it just to wear and enjoy it, then it doesn't need to be included. Once again, I preferred this opinion to make it easy on people.

5. Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[Yossarian]

[MENTION=13490]faraz39[/MENTION]
The only comment I'll make is:

"~$2,500 (or even $3,700)" may not be that much in somewhere like the USA, but it's a small fortune in many 3rd world countries". Hence, surely there should be some sort of relationship (eg cash at the bank) between the "value" of that cash (eg cost of living) in a wealthy but expensive country versus in a poor but cheaper to live in country?i

 

[troodon]

Don't we already pay income tax, sales tax etc? All of our income tax goes to tons of welfare programs by Govt.

So what is the purpose of Zakat then?

Or is it for people who do not pay Govt Taxes and pay only Tax to God?

 

[Mracer]

What is Zakat?

Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam (the others are declaration of faith, prayer, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj). It is obligatory upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means.

The individual must own a specific amount of wealth or savings (after living costs, expenses etc). This is referred to as Nisaab and is the threshold at which Zakat becomes payable. The amount of Zakat to be paid is 2.5% of Nisaab .

"The alms are only for the Fuqara' (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise." [Al-Quran 9:60]

"They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it." [Al-Quran 2:215]

"(Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah-- they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognize them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it." [Al-Quran 2:273]

Why do we give Zakat?

Zakat is not charity, It is not voluntary charity not a tax but an obligation. By giving Zakat, a Muslim is acknowledging that everything we have is Allah’s and we do not really own it, and we should use it to remember Allah and help those who are in need. It is also an act to help free us from excessive desire and greed, learn self-discipline and honesty.

Who can receive Zakat?

Zakat can only be paid to specific beneficiaries and projects.

The Qur’an mentions eight groups of people on who Zakat should be spent:

(Surat At-Tawbah 9:60)

The Fuqara’ (the poor)
Al-Maskin (the needy)
Aamileen (Zakat collector)
Muallafatul Quloob (poor and needy who recently converted to Islam)
Ar-Riqaab (slaves; Zakat can be used to purchase their freedom)
Ibnus-Sabeel: A stranded traveller in need of financial assistance.
Al Ghaarimeen: A debtor
Fi Sabeelillah: Those who are away from home in the path of Allah

How is Zakat calculated?

Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (in hand, in bank accounts or money lent to someone), shares, pensions, gold and silver. Personal items (your home, furniture, cars, food, clothing) are not included in Nisaab.

There are two measures to determine Nisaab - gold or silver.

Gold: The Nisaab by the gold standard is 3 ounces of gold (87.48 grams) or its cash equivalent. The price will vary with the current market value of gold.
Silver: The Nisaab by the silver standard is 21 ounces of silver (612.36 grams) or its equivalent in cash.

https://www.islamichelp.org.uk/zakat/

 

[kaayal]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] the gold cut off is 87.8gms like the above poster mentioned.

 

[Yossarian]

Don't we already pay income tax, sales tax etc? All of our income tax goes to tons of welfare programs by Govt.

So what is the purpose of Zakat then?

Or is it for people who do not pay Govt Taxes and pay only Tax to God?

Zakat obviously came about as a form of tax for welfare programs. And yes, it's simply the 1500 years ago version of the modern income tax, sales tax, property tax etc. which are used to provide, amongst other things, the social welfare programs that we see today.

I've already made the same exact point as your post (see post #44 above) but to no avail.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Muslim. Once a very devout Muslim. But now veering on the edge, mainly due to the contradictions and paradoxes that I cannot reconcile any more. Chiefly amongst them being that if everything that happens is due to God's will, and God is all powerful, then why are innocent babies and newborn sometimes allowed to suffer extreme agony, hunger, abuse, illness, deformity and often excruciating death if it's in God's power to alleviate it? In fact, if everything happens according to God's will, then it follows that it's God's will for the innocent young to suffer as mentioned?

And the parrot like answer given by the "faithful" is along the lines of "God knows best"!

This is an issue which many people ponder over. The way I see it , if you accept an all powerful creator wose power and mightyness cannot be comprehended. He surely has the right to create how he wants. I'd just be thankful im healthy instead of pondering over this thinking you as a limited creature can understand this power or even have the right to question it. If you don't accept a creator then there is nothing to ponder over.

 

[notAgainPlease]

There are two main ways of doing it and I'll mention the simpler one.

1. pick a date and write down your total liquid assets (savings, cash, etc.)
2. If this number is higher than ~$2,500 then your one year clock has begun to tick
3. Next year on the SAME date, if your total liquid assets are still higher ~$2,500 then you are required to pay 2.5% on this total amount
4. If your assets are not higher than $2,500 then you are not required to pay zakat. In this case, you keep watching your total liquid assets until they go above $2,500 and then you begin from step 1.

Let me know if you have any questions.

One slight mistake.

You need to consider a minimal amount in that one year period.

Lets say on day 1 , you have 100K but on day 100th, you have 25K and then on day 365th, you have 500K thne you will pay zakat on 25k.

Next year cycle will start with 500K

 

[notAgainPlease]

Muslim. Once a very devout Muslim. But now veering on the edge, mainly due to the contradictions and paradoxes that I cannot reconcile any more. Chiefly amongst them being that if everything that happens is due to God's will, and God is all powerful, then why are innocent babies and newborn sometimes allowed to suffer extreme agony, hunger, abuse, illness, deformity and often excruciating death if it's in God's power to alleviate it? In fact, if everything happens according to God's will, then it follows that it's God's will for the innocent young to suffer as mentioned?

And the parrot like answer given by the "faithful" is along the lines of "God knows best"!

Have you read a story of Khizar and Moosa?

Also let me tell you one thiing, if 1000 years ago, someone would have told you that you can talk to person sitting far away, you would not have comprehend that. So just think that we have limited ability to comprehend things. May be if we got close to God then He will open our mind and eyes to see him like Wali-Ullah etc.

 

[Yossarian]

This is an issue which many people ponder over. The way I see it , if you accept an all powerful creator wose power and mightyness cannot be comprehended. He surely has the right to create how he wants. I'd just be thankful im healthy instead of pondering over this thinking you as a limited creature can understand this power or even have the right to question it. If you don't accept a creator then there is nothing to ponder over.

That's the sort of blase answer I'm talking about. A variation of the "God knows best".

Try telling that to the newborn or 6 month old child, in excruciating agony because he/she is starving to death, or to his helpless mother who has walked miles barefoot whilst covered in open sores and starving to death herself looking for someone or something to save her child! This is a regular occurrence in many parts of the world, especially Africa, as a result of disease or drought (another phenomenon under the control of God).

 

[Bilal7]

What's up with this reply? It was a valid question.

I pay zakaat on my wife's jewelleries and I think that means I am the rightfully owner of that gold.

If I sell it, I can buy a new car

And the more Zakaat I have to pay the better sign is it because then I have more at my disposal. This is actually a gift from Allah SWT.

I didn't understand what he was trying to say.

 

[Bilal7]

Just read the post above instead of posting yet another useless answer. Read the post above. Imagine if that was you, your brother/sister/mother or your child.

Yes, these are tests and trials that God uses to test the people in this world. Some of these tests are difficult but the reward is much, much greater. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself buried several of his children, saw his entire tribe blacklisted and forced to survive by eating the bark of trees. His companions were persecuted and this was the case of almost all the Prophets that we know of.

So yes, these trials and tests are a part of this life. It's quite easy to declare that one is a pious, devout Muslim when all is well but its in times of difficulty that the true nature of a person is revealed. The hypocrites in Medina were pretty indistinguishable from the true Muslims in times of ease but were the first to weaken in times of difficulty.

If Allah ta'ala Himself declares in the Quran that we will be tested with ease and difficulty, the question of "why" shouldn't really arise. This is also why there are countless virtues listed in the Quran and Hadith about feeding the indigent, helping the needy, visiting the sick, taking care of the orphans, etc and why the Prophet was at the forefront of these acts of kindness himself.

 

[Yossarian]

Yes, these are tests and trials that God uses to test the people in this world. Some of these tests are difficult but the reward is much, much greater. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself buried several of his children, saw his entire tribe blacklisted and forced to survive by eating the bark of trees. His companions were persecuted and this was the case of almost all the Prophets that we know of.

So yes, these trials and tests are a part of this life. It's quite easy to declare that one is a pious, devout Muslim when all is well but its in times of difficulty that the true nature of a person is revealed. The hypocrites in Medina were pretty indistinguishable from the true Muslims in times of ease but were the first to weaken in times of difficulty.

If Allah ta'ala Himself declares in the Quran that we will be tested with ease and difficulty, the question of "why" shouldn't really arise. This is also why there are countless virtues listed in the Quran and Hadith about feeding the indigent, helping the needy, visiting the sick, taking care of the orphans, etc and why the Prophet was at the forefront of these acts of kindness himself.

Are you serious?

Are you seriously saying that God is testing a newborn or 6 months old baby by making him/her suffer unimaginably extreme agony and starvation (since "everything is in God's control" and "nothing happens without God's will")?

One is completely flabbergasted upon reading the post of a supposedly intelligent individual stating that God tests a newborn by making him/her suffer the most horrible and extreme pain that the human mind can imagine!.

 

[Bilal7]

Are you serious?

Are you seriously saying that God is testing a newborn or 6 months old baby by making him/her suffer unimaginably extreme agony and starvation (since "everything is in God's control" and "nothing happens without God's will")?

One is completely flabbergasted upon reading the post of a supposedly intelligent individual stating that God tests a newborn by making him/her suffer the most horrible and extreme pain that the human mind can imagine!.

God is testing the people around the newborn. You say you were a "devout Muslim", I'm surprised you don't know basic ideas like some people being used to test others.

 

[Yossarian]

God is testing the people around the newborn. You say you were a "devout Muslim", I'm surprised you don't know basic ideas like some people being used to test others.

Don't sidestep the question along with completely ignoring the plight of the child.

It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her. And yet you're saying they're the one being tested?

Let me repeat again, It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her.

So don't give me the nonsensical answer that 'God is testing the people around the newborn' by making the baby suffer!

 

[troodon]

God is testing the people around the newborn. You say you were a "devout Muslim", I'm surprised you don't know basic ideas like some people being used to test others.

So by inflicting severe pain on the new born, God is testing people around it?

 

[TM Riddle]

So by inflicting severe pain on the new born, God is testing people around it?

He works in mysterious ways.

 

[Bilal7]

So by inflicting severe pain on the new born, God is testing people around it?

Yes, because unlike adults, all children are free of sin and are among the people of Paradise.

Don't sidestep the question along with completely ignoring the plight of the child.

It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her. And yet you're saying they're the one being tested?

Let me repeat again, It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her.

So don't give me the nonsensical answer that 'God is testing the people around the newborn' by making the baby suffer!

Don't translate your human emotions onto the Creator. Any suffering person will be recompensed for their suffering in this world if they were patient and hoped for a reward from God. Any and all babies that died in child-birth gain an automatic entry into Paradise. So yes, in the grand scheme of things, the pain of this world is nothing compared to the everlasting peace, comfort and happiness of the hereafter.

 

[Slog]

Don't sidestep the question along with completely ignoring the plight of the child.

It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her. And yet you're saying they're the one being tested?

Let me repeat again, It's the baby, the newborn, that is going through the agony, the pain, the suffering, the starvation and the eventual death before he/she has even had a chance to live a life. and not those around him/her.

So don't give me the nonsensical answer that 'God is testing the people around the newborn' by making the baby suffer!

God works in mysterious ways. Its beyond your comprehension ability

 

[Yossarian]

God works in mysterious ways. Its beyond your comprehension ability

Mysterious as in making the newborn and other innocents suffer extreme agony as a test which they must pass in order to be granted entry to Heaven?

 

[MenInG]

Suggest people calm down or face ban from timepass

 

[Mamoon]

Mysterious as in making the newborn and other innocents suffer extreme agony as a test which they must pass in order to be granted entry to Heaven?

The wink gave it away.

 

[KingKhanWC]

That's the sort of blase answer I'm talking about. A variation of the "God knows best".

Try telling that to the newborn or 6 month old child, in excruciating agony because he/she is starving to death, or to his helpless mother who has walked miles barefoot whilst covered in open sores and starving to death herself looking for someone or something to save her child! This is a regular occurrence in many parts of the world, especially Africa, as a result of disease or drought (another phenomenon under the control of God).

It's not blase at all.

Firstly we have to remember we may have been given the resources to cure every single ailment or disease. So he may want us to see if we are willing to work hard to find these cures and to see how we actually love each other.

My point was. To ask these questions, you must first base these on hypothetically accepting there is an all powerful creator. If one does then who are we to question such power with our limitations as being a human being. When Muslims say God knows best, it's not really a cop out, it's actually pointing towards our limitations and the power and knowledge of the Creator which may be beyond our reasoning/understanding.

 

[Yossarian]

It's not blase at all.

Firstly we have to remember we may have been given the resources to cure every single ailment or disease. So he may want us to see if we are willing to work hard to find these cures and to see how we actually love each other.

My point was. To ask these questions, you must first base these on hypothetically accepting there is an all powerful creator. If one does then who are we to question such power with our limitations as being a human being. When Muslims say God knows best, it's not really a cop out, it's actually pointing towards our limitations and the power and knowledge of the Creator which may be beyond our reasoning/understanding.

When Muslims say God knows best, more often than not it's when they are asked difficult questions (or presented with scenarios) on contradictions and paradoxes such as the one mentioned (ie the suffering of the young and innocent). So yes, it is a cop out.

 

[miandadrules]

It's not blase at all.

Firstly we have to remember we may have been given the resources to cure every single ailment or disease. So he may want us to see if we are willing to work hard to find these cures and to see how we actually love each other.

My point was. To ask these questions, you must first base these on hypothetically accepting there is an all powerful creator. If one does then who are we to question such power with our limitations as being a human being. When Muslims say God knows best, it's not really a cop out, it's actually pointing towards our limitations and the power and knowledge of the Creator which may be beyond our reasoning/understanding.

The circular logic of the of the ignorant mind.