Variously also called charity, alms, alms-tax, or tithes (but in the original obligatory sense). Zakát is distinct from Huqúqu'lláh which has a greater emphasis, is presently binding, is wholly noncompulsory from the standpoint of the community yet is considered spiritually obligatory for Bahá'ís.
Enjoined to purify means through Zakát (measure of assessment yet to be enjoined)[edit]
"It hath been enjoined upon you to purify your means of sustenance and other such things through payment of Zakát. Thus hath it been prescribed in this exalted Tablet by Him Who is the Revealer of verses. We shall, if it be God's will and purpose, set forth erelong the measure of its assessment. He, verily, expoundeth whatsoever He desireth by virtue of His own knowledge, and He, of a truth, is Omniscient and All-Wise."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 146)
- Summarized as "Tithes (Zakát)" under "Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances" at IV.D.1.p
Zakát to follow that revealed in the Qur'án[edit]
"In one of the Tablets He, exalted be His words, hath revealed: And in the matter of Zakát, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what hath been revealed in the Qur'án."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question and Answers, no. 107)
- Zakát was a binding tax of fixed portions of certain categories income beyond specified limits to be used for charity and the Faith
- Limits of certain categories of income depended on the commodity (as earned through trade?); percentage assessed also varied by commodity
- Limits for exemption, the categories of income concerned, the frequency of payments, and the scale of rates for the various categories of Zakát to be set by the Universal House of Justice
- Believers to contribute to the Bahá'í Fund in the meantime
"Zakát is referred to in the Qur'án as a regular charity binding upon Muslims. In due course the concept evolved into a form of alms-tax which imposed the obligation to give a fixed portion of certain categories of income, beyond specified limits, for the relief of the poor, for various charitable purposes, and to aid the Faith of God. The limit of exemption varied for different commodities, as did the percentage payable on the portion assessable.
"Bahá'u'lláh states that the Bahá'í law of Zakát follows "what hath been revealed in the Qur'án" (Q and A 107). Since such issues as the limits for exemption, the categories of income concerned, the frequency of payments, and the scale of rates for the various categories of Zakát are not mentioned in the Qur'án, these matters will have to be set forth in the future by the Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi has indicated that pending such legislation the believers should, according to their means and possibilities, make regular contributions to the Bahá'í Fund."
- (Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Notes, no. 161)
"In respect to tithes Bahá'u'lláh has ordained that what is prescribed in the Qur'án should be followed. In general the law imposes an obligation to give a portion of one's assets for the relief of the poor, for various other charitable purposes, and to aid the Faith of God. The details of the application of this law are left to the Universal House of Justice to decide in future, and the Guardian has stated that in the meantime the believers may contribute regularly and according to their means to the Bahá'í Fund."
- (Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (original publication), note 32)
References in the Qur'án[edit]
(variously translated as "charity" or "alms", etc.): (most fall into the category of being a prerequisite of a true believer and of obtaining a reward or avoiding punishment; a few mention it as an injunction of the Faith in previous Dispensations)
- 2:83 (part of the Covenant to the Children of Israel)
- 2:177 (among the aspects of being righteous, truthful, and of the God-fearing)
- 2:277 (practicioners shall have a reward and no fear or grief)
- 4:77 (a previous injunction)
- 4:162 (among the actions to obtain a "mighty reward")
- 9:5, 9:11 (a prerequisite of repentance for idolaters not to be slain (outside of the months forbidding fighting))
- 9:18 (Among the prerequisites for those (among the idolaters) wishing to maintain the mosques)
- 22:78 (general injunction to observe Zakát)
- 23:4 (Those who pay are successful and will inherit Paradise) (see also v. 1 and 11)
- 24:37 (will receive a best reward and increase of bounty without measure)
- 24:56 (observe Zakát to be shown mercy)
- 27:3 (a delineation of what believers do)
- 30:39 (those who give to Zakát (as opposed to gathering interest for the wealth of the people) will increase their wealth manifold)
- 31:4 (the Qur'án a guidance to those who believe and pay Zakát)
- 33:33 (wives of the Prophet enjoined to pay Zakát (leading to purity))
- 41:7 (woe to the idolaters who do not give to Zakát or believe in the Herafter)
- 98:5 (a previous injunction as part of true belief; followers will have a reward; idolaters and people of the Book who reject to be in Hell-Fire)
