LAHORE:
Dr Raghib Naeemi, president of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), 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 freely given in any amount for the cause of Allah.
In an interview with Express News, Dr Naeemi said the amount of zakat and the categories of people eligible to receive it are specifically outlined in Islamic teachings. Sadaqa, on the other hand, is a voluntary charity that can offer itself in various ways to help those in need.
He said charity is not limited to financial assistance but can also be provided in the form of clothing, essential items, 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 eligible to receive Zakat, including the poor, the needy, the indebted and people working in the cause of Allah, among other deserving groups.
According to him, zakat should be given only to those deemed eligible by Islamic law. Dr Naeemi said Allah does not accept good deeds done with wealth obtained through illegal means.
He said that if a person gives charity or zakat with illicit income, he does not get any reward and instead may become a cause of sin.
He observed a growing trend in society where some people accept assistance simply because it is distributed for free, even though they do not truly deserve it. He said those who give Zakat have the responsibility to properly verify the beneficiaries so that the funds reach those who truly qualify.
He said that a financially well-off person should not receive Zakat, although voluntary charity can be accepted if necessary. He also advised people to avoid giving zakat or charity to professional beggars and instead look for 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 Ramadan), Dr Naeemi said that if a child is born before the Eid prayer, payment of fitra on behalf of that child becomes obligatory.
He explained that normally the father pays the fitra on behalf of his dependent children, while the 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 fasting and to enable deserving people to share the joy of Eid by meeting their food and basic needs.
Responding to a question about the government’s Zakat system, Dr Naeemi said that while there are some concerns regarding the official system, Zakat funds are distributed to deserving people through institutions, hospitals and vocational training centres.
