Fatwa ID: 03979

Answered by: Maulana Maruf Ahmed

Question

What is the logic of Zakat-al-maal? If I spend 2.5% annually my assets will be gone in 40 years.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Your question may be looked at from two angles; from a theological angle and from a practical angle.

As for the theological aspect, it is important to believe that Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear, as mentioned in the Qur’an.[1]

Likewise, one must believe that Allah does not order which results in harm or difficulty for a servant. No command of Allah is devoid of hikmah (wisdom). This includes Zakah. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“The wealth of a slave has never decreased because of charity.”[2]

As for whether zakah is illogical and impractical or not, it is important to understand the basic rules of zakah. Zakah is only binding one owns a certain amount of wealth (nisab). Once one’s wealth is below this threshold, it is no longer obligatory. Therefore, the possibility of all of one’s assets perishing does not exist.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Maruf Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham