Irfan replied on Monday, November 28, 2011 02:17 PM
Can be paid anytime, do get zakat calculator so you know what you need to may minium.
I did some research online and found to following as to who can be paid
In Holy Qur’an, Allah said: "As-sadaqaat (here means zakat) are only for the fuqara (poor), and al-masaakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds) and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (toward Islam), and (to free) captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah's cause (i.e. for those fighting in a holy battle) and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. " (Taubah; 9/60)
It is possible to explain the eight categories of people mentioned in the verse as:
The poor (Faqir/Fuqara): Those without sufficient means of livelihood to meet their basic necessities. For instance, those who, although may have a job, a house and a car, but whose income is below the minimum requirement (nisab).
The needy (Miskeen): Those without any means of livelihood and material possessions and dependent on others to meet their most basic needs such as food and shelter.
Employees of the zakat, even if they are rich, they are allowed to take from the zakat money limited to an amount to take care of themselves and their family.
Sympathizers are people whose hearts are expected to inclined to Islam or whose believe to Islam is expected to increase can be given gifts from the Zakat money.
Slaves and captives: In the days that the system of slavery existed, this meant that a person who wants to free himself from the shackles of slavery should be given Zakat so that he may release his neck from bondage by giving money to his master.
Debtor is person who is in debt and does not have financial capital or property exceeding the nisab amount. Such persons should hold priority status when giving Zakat money compared to the poor without any debts.
Those who work for Allah’s cause, either to spread the truth or to defend their country for Allah’s sake but also in need for meeting their basic needs deserve zakat.
Travelers are people who travels to another country or a foreign place for noble purposes such as pilgrimage or study and have difficulty in meeting their needs. They might have living means, but they can still receive zakat if they have trouble in accessing their means during travelling.
source http://www.ihh.org.tr/zekat-fitre/en |
