Charity

You know,

the time of year when Zaka must be given is not set,

though many will choose to pay their share around the time of Ramadhan.

But there is one form of Zaka that is tied to Ramadhan,

the Zaka Fitra,

which although not strictly required, is widely practised

and highly recommended.

However,

unlike the essential Zaka,

the Fitra is not calculated in relation to personal wealth,

but is a fixed sum for everyone who chooses to pay it.

And the amount is just about

what will take care of the needs of

one of the very poorest in the community for one day.

It is a reminder that charity is personal as well as governmental.

Zaka Fitra is one-to-one.

And it needs to have been paid by the Eid

That way, the recipient will be able

to use it to feed themselves

along with the rest of the community

as they celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr.

But trading and farming and herding and crafts

were not the only sources of income for the Arabs of Makkah and Madinah,

For to travel through the world outside the towns

was to travel in a land in which there was no law

apart from whoever is strongest in a battle wins

and takes ownership of the vanquished

both people and property,

This was a long time hotbed of clan and family warfare

which naturally translated into the ongoing hostilities

between the community of muslims

and those who wished to cause them harm.

These battles could be quite formal,

minimising casualties

and providing greater chance of surrender,

or in the form of smaller skirmishes

or surprise attacks by raiding parties.

Either way,

for the winner, the result of success meant there were spoils of war

to be divided up between the victors.

But amongst the muslims

the value of these spoils of war was not just plundered

first come first served,

They were first calculated

and a proportion set aside for what is known as the Khums.

The Khums was the share of the spoils

that was given to the Messenger

to use as he thought fit,

so he could use it where he felt it was needed

without concern for

the strict parameters of Zaka distribution in the community.

It also meant that he could use it to provide for his personal needs

and the needs of his holy family.

And although we may not have the same hand-to-hand battles

as a matter of routine nowadays,

we do still face the everyday battles of the Greater Jihad of our lives.

So although the Khums has vanished in most of the Sunni world,

the Shi'a community recognise it as much more important,

and continue to keep it alive,

with Mujtahids able to use Khums that is collected from their followers.

But whether we are talking of Zaka, Zaka Fitr, or Khums,

all come under the wing of Sadaqa.

They can all be calculated

but we live in a world where the incalculable

also comes under the banner of charity.

Sadaqa can see the value of a smile.

It sees its value to the community,

lifting up hearts

if only one at a time.

When a community gives and shares amongst itself

it is much easier to take care of our individual needs.

When an individual gets sick

they may need all sorts of hospital equipment

to diagnose and treat them,

but not many have the millions that might be needed to pay for it all.

By joining together a community can share the expense

and have it there for whoever needs it.

And when the poorest of a community

feel that the rich recognise their suffering

and are giving them a reasonable share,

they are less likely to demand a revolution.

Sadaqa in all its forms not only spreads mercy

but also brings peace to a community.