Islamic Studies Paper2 2019

Question 1

  1. Write on Zakāt on the following headings:ā
  2. Definition;
  3. Articles of Zakāt; Benficiarries.
  4. Benficiarries.

Observation

This is a very popular and straight forward question well answered by most of the candidates who are familiar with the expectation of the answers. The question demanded the candidates to write on the following, thus:

  • Definition. .
    • Nikāḥ is an Arabic word meaning “Marriage”.

    • Zakāt literally means purity of wealth.
    • Zakāt as a pillar of Islam means poor rate or alms giving.

  • Articles of Zakāt.

    • Gold and Silver

    • Farm Produce

    • Livestock

    • Merchandise

    • Cash (Bank Notes).
        Gold and Silver
        1. Zakāt is obligatory on Gold and Silver whether acquired for personal use or trade.

        2. The Nisāb for Gold is 85 grams or more and that of Silver is 595 grams or more.

        3. The amount of Zakāt required on Gold and Silver is 1/40th or 2.5%.

    • Farm Produce

      (1) Zakāt on farm produce is given at the time of its harvest.


      (2) Zakāt on farm produce is mainly on cereals such as:

      • Barley

      • Rice

      • Corn

      • Milliet

      • Wheat

    (3) The rate of Zakāt on farm produce through rainfall is 1/10th and through irrigation 1/20th.


    • Livestock

    • (1) Zakāt on Livestock is given out on the following animals: Camels, Cows, Sheep and Goats.


      (2) The Niṣāb on Camel is 5, Sheep and Goat is 40 while on Cow is 30.


      (3) The Livestock must have been in the possession of the owner for a whole year (al-Ḥawl).


  • Zakāt on Merchandise


  • (1) Zakāt is required on commercial goods.


    (2) The goods at one’s disposal require Zakāt when it worth the Niṣāb of Gold and Silver.


    (3) The amount required is also 1/40th or 2.5%.

  • Cash (Bank Notes)

  • (1) Zakāt is required on banknotes that reach Niṣāb of 200 dirhams of Silver or 20 dinar of Gold.


    (2) This amount must remain unchanged for one year.


    (3) The rate required is 1/40th or 2.5%


Beneficiaries.


  • The Poor. Those who have no means of livelihood.

  • The Needy – A person facing a pressing need.

  • Those who administer the fund i.e. those who collect, distribute, store and keep the records.

  • Those whose hearts have been reconciled towards Islam i.e. New Converts or Non-Muslims whose hearts are inclined towards Islam with the aim of influencing them to embrace the religion.

  • .Those in bondage: A part of Zakāt is used to buy and feed them.

  • Those in Debt provided the cause of debt is not for any vice or mishandling of money.

  • In the Way of Allah such as building Schools, Mosques, funding Jihad or assisting and paying Islamic teachers etc.

  • The Wayfarer (Traveller) who is short of provision.

  •