The Third Pillar of Islam: A Muslim Concept to End World Hunger, Poverty

With all the focus on treatment of women, how Muslims pray and political problems in Islamic countries, many people do not realize that there is more to Muslim life than these highly publicized, controversial issues. Truly, Islam is a religion that governs a person's entire life and which, if followed strictly according to the Quran and the sunnah (traditions of Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him), can bring peace to communities, cities, and even entire nations.

Islam has five pillars, or supporting concepts, which must be accepted and obeyed by all Muslims. The third pillar of Islam is the giving of zakat, or obligatory charity. Zakat is mentioned in the Quran as being second in importance only to the five daily prayers, which Muslims are required to perform. In the book of hadith collected by Bukhari, Abu Huraira reports: The Prophet said, "The Hour (Day of Judgement) will not be established till your wealth increases so much so that one will be worried, for no one will accept his zakat, and the person to whom he will give it will reply, 'I am not in need of it.'" This actually happened during the first caliphate following the death of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), and could happen again.

Zakat is a portion of our wealth-be it gold or silver, crops or livestock-that is given each lunar year, as required charity. This is not optional, though additional charity may be given. God states in the Quran,

"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)

This charity is to be paid to the poor and needy, travelers who have met with hardship on the road, new Muslims who require assistance with personal needs, anyone who has financial hardship due to fulfilling Islamic obligations, and those who have an obligation to perform but cannot because of lack of money. The poor and needy, as well as travelers, include Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Zakat on gold and silver is to be paid by any free, sane, adult Muslim who is not in debt. Mortgages are not considered debt for the sake of calculating zakat. Zakat is to be paid on gold and silver, as well as cash (since cash is a representation of gold or silver) that has been kept for a full lunar year. The amount to be given is 2.5%. Crops and livestock are calculated differently, with the calculations being based upon many different factors. There are many online zakat calculators to help determine how much farmers should give.