Charity in Islam.

Byline: S. KAMAL HAYDER KAZMI

According to the researchers Pakistan has strong traditions of volunteering and giving, deeply rooted in the Islamic faith of its people.

Charity is a central tenet of Islam, which lays great emphasis on supporting the needy and poor. Although philanthropy is preached and encouraged in other religions also, Islam makes it obligatory in the form of Zakat-one of the five pillars of the faith. The beneficiaries of Zakat are mentioned in the Quran - the poor, the needy, those employed to administer it, those hearts are made to incline (to truth), (to free) the captives, those in debt, and in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This list of beneficiaries binds Muslims to each other, and shows the notion of social responsibility and civic duty. Thus, researchers also recorded that charity in Islam is not only a form of worship; it also links humans to each other through their obligations to God.

Around the world no doubt, Charity plays a huge part in everyday life for Muslims. Assisting those less fortunate than ourselves by giving up free time is one way, but donating Zakat and ongoing charity are just some of the many ways that Islamic teachings prioritize charity in the wider world. Furthermore, zakat is an obligatory form of charity, based on an individual's personal wealth, and must be donated to assist those who are in need of a helping hand.

Zakat is calculated based on what we have that is over and above our own basic needs and ensures that nobody goes without. By definition, Zakat means to purify your wealth in this world by giving to those less fortunate. By contrast, Sadaqah Jariyah is a form of ongoing voluntary charity that helps recipients build a better future also offering them with relief in the present. Instead of simply donating food and water, to give Sadaqah Jariyah offers recipients with the opportunity to create an income for their families on a much longer-term basis.

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Pakistan: Disbursement Of Zakat (Rs million)

Federal Areas/ Provinces % Share Allocated/Released Budget2020-21

7% of total Zakat Collection is

Federal Areas distributed amongst federal

Areas

ICT 35.14% of 7% 152.271

Gilgit-Baltistan 18.57 % of 7% 80.469

KPK (FATA) 46.29 % of 7% 200.587

Total Federal 433.327

Share of provinces after

Provincial deduction of above federal

payments

Punjab 57.36 % of 93 % 3,302.24

Sindh 23.71 % of 93 % 1,365.00

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 13.82% of 93 % 795.623

Balochistan 5.11 % of 93 % 294.185

Total...