Surah Al-Ma'aarij (70) — Ayah 24

(Ayah 25,24) {وَ الَّذِيْنَ فِيْۤ اَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُوْمٌ … :} From this verse, it is understood that charity and zakat were also obligatory in Makkah, and even there, the believers used to set aside a fixed portion from their wealth, because this surah is Makki. In fact, the polytheists also used to set aside a fixed portion from their crops and livestock for Allah along with their idols. (See An'am: 136) Long before this, Ismail (peace be upon him) also used to command his people to establish prayer and give zakat. (See Maryam: 55) However, the current specific nisab of zakat was prescribed in Madinah; without fulfilling this obligation, a person does not even remain a Muslim. However, the believers strive to spend in the way of Allah beyond this as well; it is up to each individual to decide how much portion he sets aside in His way. Allah deals with him accordingly. In Sahih Muslim, there is an incident of a person whose name was mentioned and the clouds were commanded to water his garden. That person used to divide the income of his garden into three parts, one of which he spent in the way of Allah. [See Muslim: 2984] [ دیکھیے مسلم : ۲۹۸۴ ] The reality is that without spending in the way of Allah, impatience and the meanness of miserliness can never be removed. {’’ الْمَحْرُوْمِ ‘‘} includes those who have no means of livelihood or have lost their capital due to some calamity, and also those who, despite being in need, are not given anything because they do not ask.