Conditions for the Obligation of Zakat
Question:
What conditions are necessary for Zakat to become obligatory?
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The following conditions are essential for the obligation of Zakat:
1. Islam
◈ Condition of Islam:
Zakat is only obligatory on a Muslim. It is not obligatory on a non-Muslim, and even if they pay it as Zakat, it will not be accepted.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَما مَنَعَهُم أَن تُقبَلَ مِنهُم نَفَقـتُهُم إِلّا أَنَّهُم كَفَروا بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسولِهِ وَلا يَأتونَ الصَّلوةَ إِلّا وَهُم كُسالى وَلا يُنفِقونَ إِلّا وَهُم كـرِهونَ﴾
Meaning, the reason their spending is not accepted is that they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger. They show laziness in prayer and spend with reluctance.
◈ No forgiveness in the Hereafter:
Paying Zakat will not save disbelievers in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:
﴿كُلُّ نَفسٍ بِما كَسَبَت رَهينَةٌ﴾
﴿إِلّا أَصحـبَ اليَمينِ﴾
﴿فى جَنّـتٍ يَتَساءَلونَ﴾
﴿عَنِ المُجرِمينَ﴾
﴿ما سَلَكَكُم فى سَقَرَ﴾
﴿قالوا لَم نَكُ مِنَ المُصَلّينَ﴾
﴿وَلَم نَكُ نُطعِمُ المِسكينَ﴾
﴿وَكُنّا نَخوضُ مَعَ الخائِضينَ﴾
﴿وَكُنّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَومِ الدّينِ﴾
﴿حَتّى أَتىنَا اليَقينُ﴾
These verses make it clear that due to not following the teachings of Islam, they will be cast into Hell.
2. Freedom
◈ Freedom Condition:
Zakat is obligatory only on a free Muslim. Whatever a slave possesses is considered the property of his master. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«َمَنِ باعَ عَبْدًا وَلَهُ مَالٌ فَمَالُهُ لبَائعَهُ إِلَّا أَٔنْ يَشْتَرِطَ الْمُبْتَاعُ»
Meaning, if a slave is sold and he has wealth, that wealth belongs to the seller, unless the buyer makes a condition regarding it.
◈ Zakat is not obligatory on a slave:
Since the slave’s wealth is actually the property of his master, zakat is not obligatory on it. The ownership of a slave is defective and not permanent like that of a free person.
3. Ownership of Nisab
◈ Possession of Nisab is necessary:
A person must have wealth that reaches the nisab set by Shariah. The nisab for different types of wealth also varies.
◈ No Zakat on Less than Nisab:
If someone has wealth less than the nisab, then zakat is not obligatory on it. Their wealth is so little that it cannot be a means of helping others.
◈ Calculation of Nisab:
In livestock, both the beginning and the end are considered, whereas in other items only the beginning is taken into account. Zakat on wealth exceeding the nisab must be paid according to the excess amount.
4. Completion of One Year
◈ Completion of the Year:
For zakat to be obligatory, a full year must pass on the wealth. If zakat is imposed before the year completes, the wealthy person will suffer a loss, and if it is delayed beyond a year, the rightful recipients of zakat will suffer a loss.
◈ Wisdom and Balance:
In setting the period of one year, Shariah has taken into account both the wealthy and the needy to maintain balance.
◈ Cases Where Zakat is Nullified:
If a person dies before the completion of the year or their wealth is destroyed, then zakat will not be obligatory.
Three Exceptions to the Condition of One Year
➊ Profit from Trade
Its year will be the same as the year of the original capital.
➋ Offspring of Livestock
Their year will be calculated from the year of their mothers.
➌ Produce of the Land
Its zakat will be obligatory when the produce is obtained.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
