History of Zakat

The Origins of Zakat

English

2022

Jan 11

A New Beginning

The Hijri era begins from the time the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emigrated (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. He left Makkah at the command of His Lord, saying (to Makkah):

“You are the place that Allah loves most and you are most loved by Him. If your inhabitants had not driven me away, I would not have forsaken you.”

Jan 11

The Obligation of Zakat

The obligation of Zakat was the next step in the development of society. On one hand for the spiritual suppression of the ego and on the other hand for narrowing the gap between rich and poor, fighting poverty and stimulating community development.
The centralization of alms was also introduced.

Jan 11

Zakat inspectors

10 Hijri (631 AD)

Zakat inspectors

The Prophet (pbuh) sends Muadh ibn Jabal ra to Yemen as governor. One of his orders is to collect Zakat from the rich there and distribute it among the poor.

This order clearly indicates that Zakat is primarily local in nature and should be both collected and distributed within one’s own territory.

Jan 11

The Reign of Umar Ibn Alkhattab

13 Hijri (634 AD)

The Reign of Umar Ibn Alkhattab

Even after the death of the Prophet (pbuh) and his first successor Abu bakr (r.a.), Muadh (r.a.) remained governor of Yemen and responsible for the collection and distribution of zakat in Yemen.

That year, however, he returned to Madinah with a third of the money with Umar (r.a.).
At that time, Umar (r.a.) despised him and said that he had not been sent as a tax collector. The Zakat was to be distributed to the poor. Muadh (r.a.) replied that he had done so, but that he could not find any poor or needy people.

Jan 11

The Elimination of Poverty

16 Hijri (637 AD)

The Elimination of Poverty

In the third year, he even returned with 100% of the zakat.

Poverty in Yemen, now unfortunately the poorest country in the world, completely disappeared in a few years.
The power of Zakat!

Jan 11

Origin of the Swiss Foundation for Zakat

1442 Hijri (2020 AD)

Origin of the Swiss Foundation for Zakat

Following the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), the FSZ was established. FSZ makes people aware of the importance, power and essence of Zakat.

FSZ offers support to people to arrive at the right calculation and make the most of it.
In the first few months alone, more than 100 people have been lifted out of poverty for good!

Jan 11