Zakat : Wealth liable to be paid to the poor

Javed Ahmad :
Zakat – a due of the poor and the needy for purity of wealth, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is not an optional charity as some tend to think. There are some set of rules in fulfilling this ‘individual’ obligation.
When certain wealth like gold, silver, money, cattle, business and revenue generating properties cause accumulation of idle wealth over a minimum amount (called Nisab) for over a year, Zakat becomes due. Zakat is not to be confused; it is compulsory act of worship that purifies the wealth of a rich Muslim.
Muslims are bound to the five pillars of Islam including Zakat, which are often referred to as the foundations of Islam. In after life, the Muslims will be asked about their observance of these tenets and therefore will be held accountable, if ignored.
Zakat, which is also known as ‘poor due’ is compulsory on Muslims male and female, who hold total wealth beyond the minimum amount (i.e., the Nisab). It is not payable if the total wealth is below the Nisab amount. Zakat too cannot be substituted, if due. It remains due until death. The requirement of Zakat payment stops upon death of an individual.
Since Islam gave women the right to hold on to their own wealth and possessions independently separate from the family wealth controlled by their husbands, it is a crucial matter to judge if payment of Zakat for the wealth of wife where the husband has no share or control, will be acceptable or not. It is ‘nice’ of the husband to take care of the Zakat for his wife’s wealth, but the question is, will it be acceptable by Allah or will the obligation be met? Ideally, she should pay her own Zakat whether she earns or not. But since wives are normally dependent on their husbands the husbands could pay off their Zakat obligations. The understanding behind it is, wives normally get a pocket money from their husbands that they could spend freely, which is a mutually agreed reasonable amount depending on husband’s income. It would be best if she could save from that amount to pay off her Zakat obligations. If not, then husbands can pay it as a gesture of support of their (wives) future well being and security. Husbands, being a degree higher in command, are responsible for ensuring that his spouse practices Islam accordingly.
“…And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (Al-Qur’an 2:228)
Regarding Zakat or alms the Qur’an declares : “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (9:60)
Allah has clearly identified the criteria of the recipients of Zakat in the verse above. If we are to break it down for clarity then they are :
 Poor (i.e., destitute, beggars).
Needy (those who have needs but embarrassed to beg from people).
People employed to administer the Zakat funds.
People who have reverted to Islam and in financial difficulty.
Enslaved people seeking freedom (could also mean Muslim war prisoners and captives).
People in debt (to help a person in debt to come out of it).
Muslims who are fighting in Allah’s cause (i.e., Mujahideens).
Wayfarer (a traveler who is in need to complete his or her travel).
Priority on recipients should be given as per the items listed above as Allah Himself has presented the matter in that manner. The basic idea of Zakat is to transfer wealth from rich to the poor and the needy. Therefore, maintaining this order would meet that objective better.
(To be continued)