THIRD REMINDER. Yaum Al-thalaatha 13th/14th day of Ramadan. ZAKAAK ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. BismilLahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Zakaat is obligatory on all grains and all produce that are measured by dry volume and stored. Example are dates and raisins. The nisaab is three hundred saa (300) or approximately 624 Kilograms. Different varieties of the same produce, such as dates will be weighed together to reach the nisaab. What is obligatory Concerning Grains and Produce (1) One tenth (al-ushr) of the produce is to be given from the produce of land that is naturally irrigated,such as by rain water only (2) One twentieth is to be given from the produce of the land that is irrigated by man-engineered means, such as by water from canals (and so forth) (3) Three quater of one tenth is to be given if the produce was partially irrigated naturally and partially irrigated by man-engineered means There is no zakat on vegetable and fruit but if they are for the purpose of trade. However, 2.5% of their value is given if they reach the level of nisaab and are in one's possession for one year. zakaat on Merchandise Goods. Merchandise Goods are those that are kept for the purpose of buying and selling in order to make a profit, whether they be immovable property like land, food, drink, utensil and so forth. If the value of the merchandise goods reaches the nisaab (of monetary assets) and if the goods are in one's possession for one year, then zakaat becomes obligatory upon them. 2.5% of the total value is to be given. It is permissible to give 2.5% of the actual goods themselves as zakaat. The recipients of zakaat The group of people to whom one should is allowed to give zakaat are the ones mentioned in Allah's statement; "Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts are to be reconciled (to the truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus it is ) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knoledge and wisdom" (Al-Taubah 60). Hence, they are as follows; (1) The poor; those who cannot meet some of their basic needs, (2) The needy; those who meet most or half of their basic needs (3) Those employed to administer the funds; those who collect and watch over the funds-but this is only if they do not receive a wage. (4) Those whose hearts are to be reconciled to the truth: those leaders of their people who one hopes will embrace islam or those who are to be given to repel their harm or by given to them one hopes to strengthen their faith or have someone similar embrace islam. (5) Those in bondage: those slaves who have made agreements with their masters to pay for their freedom. (6) Those in dept; this group falls into two categories: (a) those who have incurred a dept reconcile opposing parties and (b) a person himself who has fallen into dept and does not have the means to repay it. (7) In the cause of Allah:to those volunteer fighters striving for the sake of Allah and those calling to the way of Allah and whatever helps and support their activities. (8) Wayfarers; those travelers who are cut off from their homeland and do not have wealth with them that will allow them to reach their homes. May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge and wealth. Aameen.