Q. I read an article in a magazine that as from the second year, zakah is payable only on the incremental property that one has acquired during the year. Thus, if one paid zakah on an amount of, say, 100,000 the first year, and he finds himself with 130,000 the next year, he pays only for 30,000. Should his property become 200,000 the following year, he pays for 70,000 only. Is this correct?
T. Ahmad
A. No, it is not correct. Zakah is payable for the total of one’s property every year, provided one continues to have an amount that is in excess of the threshold of zakah over and above what he needs for his own and his family’s living. The threshold, or nisab, is the equivalent of 85 grams of gold, not jewelry. When anyone, man or woman, young or old, own this threshold, they become zakah payers. They should mark the date and then every year, on the same date, they calculate what they have in excess of their immediate living needs. They pay zakah on the total. The normal rate is 2.5%. Thus, in the example given by the reader, the person concerned needs to pay zakah for 100,000 the first year, 130,000 the second year and the total of 200,000 the third year. This makes his liability 2500 for the first year, 3250 for the second, and 5000 for the third. This is easily affordable by anyone who owns such amounts of money.
People often find it difficult to pay zakah, treating it as a form of tax. It is not a tax. Zakah is an act of worship that brings rich reward from God and benefits the individual paying it and the one receiving it as well as the community as a whole. The one who pays it purifies his money, receives God’s reward and purges himself of the feelings of selfishness and greed associated with wealth. The one who receives it is helped to overcome his difficult life conditions and the community benefits by the feelings of mutual solidarity and social security that the payment of zakah achieves.
As stated above, the normal rate in most types of money is 2.5%. However, certain types have a different rate. An agricultural land that needs little attention, and is irrigated by rainwater only, pays 10% of its net produce, while land irrigated by a mixture of rainwater and machines pays 5% of its produce. Likewise, for investments in shares and stocks, which require no effort on the part of the investor, the rate is 10% of the income received. The capital invested in such shares and stocks is not liable to zakah. It should be pointed out, however, that such payment should be made on the day the land is harvested or the dividend is paid.
The Impostor and People’s Faith
Q. Is it true that the Dajjal will change the faith of anyone who comes in contact with him? How will this happen?
A. Husain
A. Faith is something that everyone of us determines for themselves. Nobody can impose a certain type of faith, or unfaith, on anyone. The Dajjal, or the Impostor, will claim, according to some hadiths, to be God and will require people to believe in him. He will command power and worldly riches so as to strike fear into people and to tempt them with money and authority. However, good believers will be able to see him for what he is and maintain their faith. Should they yield to his temptation and follow him, they are doomed unless they return to God in repentance.
Scholars have different opinions with regard to the identity of the Impostor, and whether he will be a man or a situation. Some, particularly among those of the second view, say that such a situation need not apply to a particular period of time or society. It could happen at any time, when falsehood is on the ascendance. People may give in to its power and lose faith in God. If they do, they will be doomed. During the last century, when Muslims were fascinated with Western civilization, some scholars suggested that the descriptions given of the Impostor apply to Western civilization, as it lured people away from their faith and promoted godlessness and individualism.
Be that as it may, I recommend my readers not to worry themselves over this question and similar ones foretold by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Many of the Hadiths concerning these are either lacking in authenticity or admit different interpretations. Besides, what is the use of worrying over a situation which we do not know whether will happen in our lifetime or not? The best thing in all situations is to be better informed about our faith and to strengthen our resolve to follow its teachings, so that should we come across any situation that tests our strength of faith, we are able to maintain our faith and stand firm by our beliefs. This ensures that falsehood will not affect us in any way and, with God’s support, we will always emerge winners.
