Have you ever heard of “zakat”? President Obama has, but you’re going to wish he hadn’t.

View Comments (14)

• I notice no one was concerned that American laws on charitable giving affecting Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu et. al. giving. Why are we so worried about Muslim charitable giving? Besides-whats stopping them. I don't remember any laws that forbid giving to charity-unless that "charity" is a terrorist cell in Afghanistan or Iran or Iraq. Help me out here.

  • Uh, maybe you should read the piece you're commenting upon BEFORE commenting. You know what I mean? So your comment will make sense?

    • im also confused.then again im tired and ive been drinking ghetto blasters, so maybe im missing something.

    • I DID read the article. And I wtched the video in which Obama refers to American laws on charitable giving interfering in some way with the Muslim obligation of Zakat. I merely noted that charitable giving laws apply across the board, and no one else has ever mentioned it impeding their ability to do charitable work. I believe that is also true for Muslims, except those who are sending their charitable giving to terror cells. May be YOU should read the post before commenting!

• As usual, I don't know what to think. Half the time I think the man is too stupid to know what the hell he's saying, the other half I think he knows exactly what he's saying and he's evil incarnate. On this one I'm going with "Barry O. had no clue what zakat really meant when he gave the speech, just like he had no idea how many states there are." Check back with me tomorrow, I may have changed my mind.

• I'll say it again: moslem is as moslem does.

• Zakāt - "alms giving", one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the giving of a small percentage of one's possessions (surplus wealth) to charity, generally to the poor and needy. It is often compared to the system of tithing and alms, but it serves principally as the welfare contribution to poor and deprived Muslims, although others may have a rightful share. It is the duty of an Islamic community not just to collect zakat but to distribute it fairly as well.

  Do those video impaired.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakat

  • Ah, puffnstuff - that wikipedia is such a plethora of unbiased info - (sarc now Off): while they do mention the eight categories of recipients of zakat, they don't really define them too well - let me do that for you:

    1. Fakir - One who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood.
    2. Miskin - One with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.
    3. Amil - One who is appointed to collect zakat.
    4. Muallaf - One who converts to Islam.
    5. Riqab - One who wants to free himself from bondage or the shackles of slavery.
    6. Gharmin - One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet basic expenditure).
    7. Fisabillillah - One who fights for the cause of Allah.
    8. Ibnus Sabil - One who is stranded in journey.

    Feel free to correct me, but the modern system of tithing (At least in Christian circles) does not pay “Holy Warriors” - (See #7).

    Also, the modern system of tithing is a suggestion, not a requirement for “brotherhood” status. It is also not a redistribution of wealth as it used primarily to keep the lights on and fund charitable programs.

    Comparing zakat to tithing is like comparing apples to oranges – pardon the cliché’.

    • Indeed. Christian tithing is not a requirement, but it is expected if the person CAN tithe in thanksgiving for blessings upon the person. One doesn't stop being a Christian if he or she is unable to tithe. Also the person can decide where or whom to give the tithe to on their own.

    • Aw, come on chillie willie, quit posting those "inconvenient truths". You're making H.R. Pufnstuff sound like a muslim apologist that's hiding behind taqiyya.

    • AMEN !!

• Why doesn't the Kenyan Kommie Klwon zakat his own money instead of ours?

  Feds Spent $800,000 of Economic Stimulus on African Genital-Washing Program

• You can whine but the guy is at least doing his level best for his people and his country.... just that it's at the expense of the USA of course.

  • Yep, he's doing his level best to level this country. Wonder if he just got a "tingle in his leg" or a full-body rush when theTwin Towers came down?