Don't pay zakat!!

I want to stop paying zakat.

Yes, My dream is that I no longer pay zakat.

In fact, I want to help other people not to pay zakat!  There, I said it.

Now before you start throwing rocks at me, let me explain.

What do you pay zakat on?  Yes, I’m actually asking the question - what do you pay zakat on?

For the most part, or statistically speaking for Americans, the largest ‘zakat eligible’ item that we own is cash.  This cash can be in the form of a retirement fund, stocks, pension plan… things of this sort.  Sure there will a few that have crops, sheep and other things, however for the most part, Americans hold cash.

Now to answer the initial question - what do we pay zakat on;

Simply put, zakat is to be paid on items that we hoard.  Yes - hoarded items.  Again, there are crops, cattle and windfall items zakat is due on, however this is a fairly limited category for Americans.

So how do we not pay zakat?

Let zakat prompt us to utilize the money for growth and business.  In other words - do not hoard!

Islam is that it is an all encompassing way of life; from family life, to spiritual life, to fighting, to marriage, to divorce...       

It even encompasses the financial sphere.  Most people associate Islamic influence in finance with the prohibition of riba.  However there is an often overlooked element of zakat.

To better understand the relationship, I pose the question;

What would happen if I had a pile of money that I've been saving (hoarding) for retirement?  Simple - I’d have to pay zakat every year.  It’s my right, and there is nothing wrong with that.  However our Creator know’s that we don’t like to watch our hard earned money being reduced year after year by 2.5%!!

Hence we are given the option - do something with the money.  Stimulate the economy.  Do not hoard.  How so?  The possibilities are endless, but several more practical solutions would be to use the once hoarded money as start up capital for a business partnership - or lend it to a family member who needs to purchase a home.

What does this accomplish?  In the business start up example, it would accomplish:

1. Your funds are no longer being hoarded causing economic stagnation - and therefore you wouldn't pay zakat.
2. You are helping someone acquire halal funds to use as start up capital for a business.
3. You potentially could be part owner of a business.
4. If things go well, you’ll actually make money in said business- versus having the money reduced each year.
5. The person who you partner with will be making money as well - If he was a zakat recipient, he no longer will be!
6. The method of lending money will be riba free!  It will be a partnership versus a loan.

Zakat [or lack there of] would cause your once stagnant funds to grow and in the process allow growth to others!!

Hence I encourage everyone not to pay zakat!  Conversely, use the funds to help others realize their dreams.  Help them obtain funds in an entirely halal manner.  Help them benefit as the Prophet (S) did when he advised those who came asking for zakat.