The Meaning of the Word "Zakat"
"Zakat" is the Arabic word for the acts that we call "charity" in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However, the nature of Zakat is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity" suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word "Zakat" means righteousness, justice or fairness. In Islam, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.
The Obligation of Zakat
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Islam, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that Zakat is the highest of all pillars, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform Zakat is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance of Zakat in Islamic thought. Zakat is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The Prophet (PBUH) repeatedly states that God has inscribed a judgment against all who have sinned, but Submission (No god except God), prayer and Zakat can alleviate the decree.
According to Islamic law, we are required to give portion (2.5% is popular) of our income to the poor. This is generally interpreted as (2.5% is popular) of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give Zakat. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence may give less, but must still give to the extent they are able.
The obligation to perform Zakat can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, the needy, to health care institutions, to those encumbered with debt or to educational institutions etc. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving to both Muslims and non-Muslims; contrary to popular belief that Zakat is for Muslims only.
Islam acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity were in genuine need, we would be subject to punishment (from God) for refusing anyone who asked and we have to spend too much time in checking either person is genuine or not. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask, because we have some legitimate basis for doubting the beggar's sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of a charity before donating to it.
We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of Zakat. A person should take any work that is available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity, to avoid becoming a public charge.
However, if a person is truly in need and has no way to obtain money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept Zakat. No person should feel too proud to take money from others. In fact, it is considered a transgression to refuse Zakat. One source says that to make yourself suffer by refusing to accept Zakat is equivalent to shedding your own blood.
Levels of Zakat
Act of Zakat can be classified into 8 levels from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are:
1. Giving begrudgingly
2. Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3. Giving after being asked
4. Giving before being asked
5. Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6. Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7. Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant
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