Zakat: Islamic Charity, or Funding Jihad?

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and is often described as a type of charity.

This is how zakat really works:

• It’s a mandatory yearly payment of 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth
• It can only be paid to 8 categories of recipients:
  
  Koran 9:60
  “The alms are only for the poor (1) and the needy (2), and those who collect them (3), and those whose hearts are to be reconciled (4), and to free the captives (5) and the debtors (6), and for the cause of Allah [jihad] (7), and (for) the wayfarer (8); a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.” [1]
  
• The seventh category (see above) is “the cause of Allah” also known as jihad
• Classical manuals for Sharia law make it explicitly clear what that means for anyone in doubt:
  
  Reliance of the Traveller, h8.17
  “The seventh category is those fighting for Allah, meaning people engaged in Islamic military operations for whom no salary has been allotted in the army roster (O: but who are volunteers for jihad without remuneration). They are given enough to suffi ce them for the operation, even if affluent; of weapons, mounts, clothing, and expenses” [2]
  
• The organization AAOIFI is one of the most credible and influential global Sharia standard-setters in the current world of Islamic finance. Here is an excerpt from their document of 1262 pages from the year 2017 called “Shari’ah Standards for Islamic Financial Institutions” (this document is continuously updated). Chapter 35, article 9 clarifies how, according to Koran 9:60, zakat should be distributed:
  
  “Eight Heads of Zakah Disbursement
  
  The heads of Zakah disbursement are the eight categories specified by the Verse which states: {“As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara’ (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e., for Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.“} Shari’ah Supervisory Boards of the institutions may specify the meaning and appropriate way of application, for each one of these categories.” [3]

The bottom line is that Islamic primary doctrine and Sharia make it obligatory to collect zakat, and that this money is used to support jihad.

Jihad has many forms – not only violence, but also many non-violent forms of jihad can be used against non-Muslims (Kafirs). Please read our report for more information on this subject. [4]

Therefore, anyone calling for or facilitating zakat collection is directly supporting jihad, whether they know it or not.

• In 2008, 51% of all zakat collections in the USA were used to finance jihad. [5] One year later, the US president made this statement:
  
  “Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.” [6]
  
  Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States of America
  Remarks by the President at Cairo University, June 4, 2009

With all being known about zakat, should it be allowed to be collected in non-Islamic countries? The answer is clear. With this article in mind, now is the time to ask hard questions of your politicians, Islamic organizations, and regulatory bodies allowing its collection.

Sources:

[1] https://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=9&verse=60
[2] https://archive.org/details/sharia-reliance-of-the-traveller/page/272/mode/1up
[3] Shari’ah Standards for Islamic Financial Institutions, 2017, AAOIFI, p. 896, https://aaoifi.com/shariaa-standards/?lang=en
[4] https://www.cspii.org/methodology/research-reports/jihad/
[5] Kalimullina M., Bekkin R., Zakat: Practical Guide. - M.: Islamic book, 2010, pp. 152–153
[6] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-cairo-university-6-04-09