God, in reality, has placed the amount of the needs

The religion of Islam, in order for the common needs to be met, has foreseen a budget that is called zakat. Zakat is one of the financial obligations, and acts of worship in Islam.

The Holy Prophet of Islam told us, "God, in reality, has placed the amount of the needs of the poor in the wealth of the rich, and if they paid it. the needs of the common people would be removed. If amongst the people you find someone starving or without clothes, it is because the wealthy have not paid their obligatory dues."

On the Day of Judgment, every person who doesn't give zakat from his wealth will have his account settled at the time of questioning and reckoning, and will be delivered to a painful punishment. Imam Baqir (A.S.) tells us, "A wealthy person who doesn't give zakat from his wealth is neither a mu'min nor a Muslim."

Which people Must Pay Zakat?

1. Those who farm and keep orchards and cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, dates and currants, whose harvest reaches a "specific amount", must pay a quantity of their crop as zakat.

2. Those who invest their wealth in animals, like shepherds, camel, sheep and cattle breeders, etc. whose animals reach a "specified number", must pay a portion of their herd as zakat.

3. Those who have a store of money (gold or silver) and don't use it, provided that the reserve within one year is more than a "specified amount", must pay some of it as zakat. How much must be paid as zakat? Zakat of wheat and barley, what kind is it and how much? Zakat of sheep and cattle, what kind is it and how much? You will read the answers to these questions in later years, or you can find out from the book called "Tawdih al-Masail".

In What Way is Zakat Used?

Zakat is for works and services that are beneficial to Muslim society. For example, with the money that is obtained from zakat, hospitals can be built, and they can be managed and maintained; and poor people who are sick can be helped and their living expenses paid until they recover and can work again. Education centers can be set up to fight illiteracy and religious ignorance, which with the best methods, would acquaint the people with general knowledge and religion. With zakat, beautiful public gardens can be built so that children and youngsters can play in them, and in the well-equipped libraries which will be built in these parks, they can study.

With the budget which zakat provides, towns and villages can be provided with running water, and their cleanliness can be safeguarded. With the budget of zakat, extremely well-equipped schools should be built for children and youngsters, and fully-experienced teachers should be trained to teach them. With zakat, housing and a means of sustenance should be provided for the poor and those with insufficient incomes, and arrangements can be made for the disabled and the elderly who are poor.

With the budget of zakat, large mosques should be built so that all the people can go to the mosque and offer the congregational prayers and study the Quran and Islam. With the budget of zakat, all the young men and women of insufficient incomes would marry and form a household and a family. With the budget of zakat, all the needs of the Muslim society would be cared for, then, there would no longer be the poor, or the hungry, or people in debt. Everybody would be healthy, able, with faith and righteousness and would lead peaceful lives.

For their futures in the Hereafter they would send righteous deeds ahead of them, so that in that world they will enjoy better blessings and more affections of their Lord,... And the beautiful ends are for the righteous.