Islam: the basics part 4, Za'kat

Salam wa' alikum

Continuing onto the next pillar of Islam is Zakah, or charity! Yes giving to charity is a requirement in Islam. The rules are pretty simple:

1. Muslims must give at least 2.5% of their total saved income per year.
2. Muslims must give at least once per year..

Who pays and how much?

Now not everyone has to pay, when I say "total saved income" I mean however much money, savings, assetts, property, cars, or extra that you earned and didn't use during the year. Things like that. Now if you earned as much as you needed to spend of food, clothes, etc, then you are not obligated to give Za'kat.

They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect. 2:219

Who gets Za'kat

Charities(Sadaqaat) shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of Allah, and to the traveling alien. Such is GOD's commandment. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise. [Qur'an 9:60]

 

What can you give for Za'kat?

Any charity you give, or a charitable pledge you fulfill, GOD is fully aware thereof. As for the wicked, they will have no helpers. 2:270

Benefits of Za'kat

Za'kat can be used as a powerful and fair system form of social security and unemployment. Since you only give if your able it doesn't force anyone into poverty or to give up income that you need, or could really use. And since it's based on a percentage, everyone pays equally and no one gets to cheat.

 

Those who give to charity night and day, secretly and publicly, receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. 2:274

 

Support in Qur'an

 

Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous. 2:177

 

Conclusion

Insh'allah this post has helped muslims and non-muslims alike to understand what za'kat is.

 

 

 

 

 

Islam the Basics Part 3: Prayer

Salam wa'alikum,

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, a lot of personal problems have been happening lately! Now however, I am back and insha'allah, I will help everyone learn about prayer!

Prayer in the life of a muslim is extremely important! To muslims prayer is a direct audience with Allah (God) Himself. Islamic prayer does differ from Christianity slightly though. In Islam there are two types of prayer. Formal or Ritual prayer, and non-formal prayer. First I'll explain non-formal, then formal.

Non-Formal Prayer

Non-formal prayer is a prayer that can be anywhere any time for any reason. It can be aloud, silent, or even in your head. There isn't anything special you have to say or do have non-formal prayer. An example of having non-formal prayer would be if you were about to have a test and asked Allah for help to pass it.

Formal Prayer

Formal prayer, or Salah is a bit different, and this is really where Islamic prayer differs from Christian prayer. Formal prayer for Muslims is a requirement of the faith. There are 5 certain times throughout the day that a muslim must stop and have prayer. These times are generally judged based on the placement of the sun in the sky. The times are as follows:

• Fajr - Morning prayer - 2 required, 2 before sunnah
• Dhuhr - Noon Prayer - 4 required, 4 before sunnah, 2 after sunnah
• Asr - Afternoon prayer - 4 required, 2 before sunnah
• Maghrib - Evening prayer - 3 required, 2 after sunnah
• Isha - Night prayer - 4 requied, 2 after sunnah
• Vitr - End of day prayer - odd number sunnah

You'll notice that even though I said there were only 5 certain times, but 6 prayers. That's because in Islam, there are required prayers and sunnah prayers. Just as it might imply, required prayers are a must, if a muslim does not do these, its considered a sin, however sunnah prayers are optional! These are simply extra prayers that the Prophet (SAW) used to do in addition to the required prayers. As an example, for Dhuhr prayer, you could do 4 sunnah, then the 4 required, then 2 more sunnah!

Now I know what you're thinking, why number prayers? Well thats because of how prayers are preformed in Islam. Unlike Christianity, where you kneel and prayer, Islamic prayer is a full body/mind experience. Prayers are measured in "ra'kat". So if a prayer has 2 required, you need to do 2 ra'kat. One ra'kat goes something like this:

1. Standing straight up, lift you hands to your ears.
2. Say "Allahu Akbar" (God is greater) while moving your hands to your stomach, right hand over left.
3. Recite the first chapter of the Qur'an, Al-Fatiha.
4. Recite one other chapter of the Qur'an
5. Bend at the waist into a 90 degree angle, while saying "Allahu Akbar"
6. Say "Sub-hanna Rab-be-el Ad-eem" or "Glory be to God" 3 times.
7. Stand back up straight saying "Allah Akbar".
8. Kneel down placing your forehead against the ground saying "Allahu Akbar"
1. It's important to note that your forehead, knees, toes, and both hands should be flat on hte ground at this point.
9. Say "Sub-hanna Rab-be-el Allah" 3 times.
10. Sit up on your feet saying "Allahu Akbar"
11. Say "Lord forgive me of my sins".
12. Place your forehead back on the ground like before and say "Sub-hanna Rab-be-el Allah" 3 times.
13. Stand back up saying "Allahu Akbar"

Now it's important to remember that this is only a very simplified version. The full prayer has a lot of different wordings and phrases to say, and is usually done in all Arabic as well. It's also important to remember that this is only one ra'kat, even the shortest required prayer has to be 2 ra'kat.

A lot different than Christian prayer huh?