Zakât is an amount payable by farmers on some agricultural produce, cattle, silver and gold at the rate of 2.5%, to the Imam’s representatives, who during the absence of Imam Mahdi in our era, are the learned theologians (marja’ taqlid, pl. maraji’ taqlid; see Appendix C and below, under ‘Other Religious Texts’) The proceeds of zakat are managed by the theologians’ offices and are put to various uses, among which are helping the needy, funding educational institutions and student bursaries, and paying off debts of those who face imprisonment because they cannot discharge them (subject to conditions.) Apart from zakât, Iranians believe that regular, voluntary donations to charity increase wealth and bring blessings to their daily income—along the lines of what goes round comes round.
If you visit Iran, you may notice some metallic hexagonal boxes painted blue and yellow erected on poles at street corners. These are sadâqeh boxes. Sadâqeh is a small amount of money given or set aside voluntarily every day, A central charity organization administers these funds either in the form of emergency payments, or to fund long term projects, such as teaching a trade to needy people, so that they can earn a livelihood. The practice of setting a small amount of money aside every day is believed to keep danger away from all family members as they go about their daily business.
All adult Muslims need to set a day every year on which to carry out an audit of their yearly income, yearly expenses, and outstanding loans. If after settling all loans and bills there is a surplus, one-fifth of this amount is given to the poor and the needy. This account must be settled before a believer sets off on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islamic Art, Cultural Diversity and Chosen Mediums and Techniques
