Towards A Unified Zakat System

Although these methods are currently in use, consensus ontheir use has not been achieved and none of them standsalone as a universally acceptable method. In section seven,the issue of who should be responsible for collecting anddistributing Zakat is addressed.4.1 Principles of ZakatZakat in the Arabic language means increment, growth,and/or purification of the soul and wealth. Zakat is thethird basic pillar of the Islamic faith, which is built onfive main pillars. The five pillars of Islam which formthe basic framework of the Islamic faith, are:acceptance of the unity of Allah;prayers to Allah five times each day;Zakat;fasting for the month of Ramadan each year, starting at 15years old; and,the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime and when theindividual is able.Among these five principles, Zakat is the one that formsthe basis of an Islamic economy. Zakat became a compulsoryreligious duty in the second year of Hejrah, i. e., 580 AD.101