LAHORE:
Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Raghib Naeemi, has said that there is a fundamental difference between Zakat and voluntary charity (Sadaqa). Zakat, he said, is governed by clearly defined rules in Islamic law, while Sadaqa can be given freely in any amount for the sake of Allah.
In an interview with Express News, Dr. Naeemi that the amount of Zakat and the categories of people who are qualified to receive it are specifically described in Islamic teachings. Sadaqa, on the other hand, is a voluntary charity that can be offered in various forms to help the needy.
He said that charity is not limited to financial assistance but can also be given in the form of clothes, essential goods, books for students or by providing equipment or machinery to help someone earn a living.
He said the Holy Quran identifies eight categories of people who are entitled to receive Zakat, including the poor, the destitute, those in debt and individuals working in the cause of Allah, among other deserving groups.
According to him, Zakat should be given only to those whom Islamic law deems eligible. Dr. Naeemi said that good deeds done with wealth earned through illegal means are not accepted by Allah.
He said that if a person gives charity or Zakat from unlawful income, it brings no reward and may instead become a cause of sin.
He noted a growing trend in society where some individuals accept help simply because it is distributed for free, even if they don’t really deserve it. He said that those who give Zakat have a responsibility to properly verify the recipients so that the funds reach those who truly qualify.
He said that a financially well-off person should not receive Zakat, although voluntary charity may be accepted if necessary. He also advised people to avoid giving Zakat or charity to professional beggars and instead seek out self-respecting people who are in need but do not ask others for help.
Fitra, Zakat distribution system
Speaking about fitra (charity given at the end of Ramazan), Dr. Naeemi that if a child is born before the Eid prayer, the payment of fitra on that child’s behalf becomes obligatory.
He explained that the father usually pays fitra on behalf of his dependent children, while a woman can pay her own fitra, although it is also valid if her husband pays it.
He said fitra serves as a means to compensate for deficiencies during the fast and to enable deserving people to share in the joy of Eid by fulfilling their food and basic needs.
In response to a question about the government’s Zakat system, Dr. Naeemi that although there are some concerns regarding the official system, Zakat funds are distributed to deserving individuals through institutions, hospitals and vocational training centers.
