An Introduction to Financial Sacrifice — Page 88
88 A: Zakat is not levied on all the items as a whole, rather it is levied on each item separately. Whenever an item is equal to or more than the Ni sa b (52. 5 Tolas, 614. 25 grams of silver), Zakat will be levied on it. Q: Will Zakat be levied on the total property or only that which exceeds the Ni sa b ? A: Zakat will be levied on the total amount. It is not sufficient to pay Zakat on that which exceeds the Ni sa b. For instance, if someone has 55 tolas of Silver, he shall pay Zakat on 55 tolas and not just on 2. 5 tolas. INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT 1. All the Zakat money shall be deposited with the National Jam a ‘at. The local Jamat is not allowed to spend any of this amount. 2. If people who deserve Zakat are not available at national level, then this amount shall be transferred to the Central Reserve Fund. 3. No local Jam a ‘at or individual is authorized to distribute the Zakat money at his own discretion. 4. The office-bearers should properly publicize these points among their members. Fi t r a na In Arabic, Fitrana is called Sadaqatul Fi t r , Fi t r a na has to be paid before Eid, so that the poor and needy can be provided with means to celebrate Eid in time. Its rate is one ﺻﺎع of grain, which is equivalent to 2. 5 Kilograms. If someone is unable to pay at full rate, he can pay at half rate. Fi t r a na is obligatory upon every Muslim man, woman and child, so much so that it even has to be paid on behalf of a newborn.