Conditions of Zakaah.

Q;salam.....What is the ruling of zakat? to whom it is to be given and in what form (money,gold,silver,other things etc)? if we have some gold , some land n some money stored, do we have to pay zakat for that? if there is local baitul maal, can we pay to it? or it needs an islamic state having particular baitul maal? A;All-Praise is due to Allah, Zakaat is an obligation because it is among the five pillars of Islam as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said : Islam has been built upon five things - on testifying that there is non worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing Salah (five daily prayers); on giving the Zakaah ; on Hajj, (Pilgrimage to the holly House in Makaah); and on fasting during the month of Ramadhan. [Related by Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] The categories of wealth upon which Zakah is obligatory are four 1) freely grazing livestock 2) produce 3) moveable valuables (i.e. gold, silver, and paper money etc); 4) trade items. Zakah is obligatory if five conditions are met: 1) Islam 2) freedom from slavery 3) ownership of the “Nis
aab” (amount upon which Zakah becomes due) 4) complete and stable ownership 5) completion of a year, except in the case of produce. Baring in mind that all of these conditions have allot of explanation behind them. As for who it must be payed to, it can either be to an Islamic organization that deals with Zakaah or your local Mosque. Be sure to inform your Imam that it is for Zakaah so he knows how and who the money is to be distributed to. It is preferred and leans more towards the Sunnah to give it directly to the people in which are obliged to be payed Zakaah too. These people are divided into eight categories as Allah says in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)” [al-Tawbah 9:60] In conclusion Zakaah all depends on if one meets conditions mentioned above, of not then one is excused until those condition apply to them. And Allah knows best...