Page 89 - World Religions I - Islam

 Tradition indicates that the change in direction caused confusion amongst believers and
consternation concerning the acceptance of prayers of those who had died prior to the
change.9
• In response to the alarm, Muhammad revealed Surah 2:143: And Allah would never
make your faith (i.e. prayer) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem).
• Salat is a prayer of worship, not a time of personal communication or supplication. Such prayers are known in
Islam as Dua. Dowaat (the plural form of Dua) are voluntary and can be made any time of the day or night.

3. Zakat (Alms Giving)
Zakat is the practice of charitable giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all who are able to do so.
The Qur'an is silent about when the initial qibla was appointed, and we must rely on the biographies of Muhammad and
the Hadith in order to establish that the initial direction for prayer was Jerusalem.

• Zakat is considered to be a religious duty and is expected to be paid by all practicing Muslims.
o Financial obligation to pay zakat is known nisab, or the amount that one's net worth must exceed in
order to pay alms.
 There are several Hadith formulas for calculating nisab.
 Nisab is generally considered an amount equal to the essential needs of a person or family for
one year.
 In many modern societies, nisab is considered equivalent to a governmentally determined
poverty threshold.
• The Qur'an does not provide specific guidelines on which types of wealth are taxable under zakat, nor does it
specify percentages given.
o Collected amounts generally are around 2.5 percent, but can be as much as 20 percent, depending on
the type of goods being taxed.
• The Qur'an is unclear on who is to collect the tax.
o In most Muslim countries, zakat is collected through a decentralized and voluntary system via
established zakat committees.
 Even in some countries where contributions are voluntary (Jordan, Bahrain Kuwait, Lebanon,
and Bangladesh), the zakat is still regulated by the state.
o Some Muslim countries (such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan) make zakat obligatory and funds are
collected in a centralized manner by the state. In countries where zakat is collected by the state, the
economic effects are often negligible, doing little to alleviate economic inequality.
• Zakat funds are intended to be dispersed to those in need, with some exceptions.
o According to the Qur'an, there are eight categories of people who qualify to receive zakat funds:
 Those living in absolute poverty. Muslim scholars disagree whether the poor that qualify
should include non-Muslims. Some state that zakat may be paid to non-Muslims only after the
needs of Muslims have been met.
 Those who cannot meet their basic needs.
 The zakat collectors themselves.
 Non-Muslims who are sympathetic to Islam or who wish to convert to Islam.
 People whom one is attempting to free from slavery or bondage (which also includes paying
ransom or blood money).
 Those who have incurred overwhelming debts while attempting to satisfy their basic needs.
 Those working for an Islamic cause (Qur'anic schools, missionary work, and anything else that
serves the community).
 Travelers in need.

88