Manzilat al-Zakat fi al-Islam
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Safir Press
Manzilat al-Zakat fi al-Islam (The Status of Zakat in Islam) is a concise treatise on the jurisprudence and significance of almsgiving in Islam by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Ali bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) . The author completed writing the work on Monday night, 7 Rabiʿ al-Awwal 1425 AH .
Background and Methodology
The full title given by the author is Manzilat al-Zakat fi al-Islam fi Daw' al-Kitab wa-al-Sunnah: Mafhum, wa-Manzilah, wa-Hikam, wa-Ahkam, wa-Fawa'id, wa-Shurut, wa-Masa'il (The Status of Zakat in Islam in Light of the Quran and Sunnah: Concept, Status, Wisdoms, Rulings, Benefits, Conditions, and Issues) . In preparing the treatise, al-Qahtani drew extensively upon the legal preferences and rulings (taqrirat wa-tarjihat) of his teacher, Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah Ibn Baz .
Content and Structure
The book systematically addresses several core areas regarding the obligation of zakat:
- Definitions and Terminology: The author discusses the linguistic origin of zakat—signifying purity (taharah), growth (nama'), blessing (barakah), righteousness (salah), and praise (madh)—as well as its technical legal definitions according to various jurists . He also delineates the differences between obligatory zakat, voluntary charity (sadaqah), and general gifts (ʿatiyyah) .
- Religious Status: The treatise highlights zakat's position as the third pillar of Islam and details its recurring conjunction with ritual prayer (salat) throughout numerous verses in the Quran .
- Wisdoms, Benefits, and Rulings: The work examines the underlying wisdoms (hikam) and communal and spiritual benefits of zakat, the legal requirements and conditions governing its obligation (shurut wujubiha), and the jurisprudence regarding zakat on outstanding debts (zakat al-dayn) alongside other key contemporary and classical questions .
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