meaning designates the annual amount of wealth, food, propertyetc.
which a Muslim with the adequate means must distribute among the
rightful beneficiaries .
Zakaat is a remarkable institutionand a major pillar of Islam. Allaah,
Almighty, Says (what means): "And establish the Prayer, and pay Zakaat
(the poor due)..." [Quran, 2:43]
Moreover, Zakaat is an obligatory act because it is one of the
pillarsof Islam: The Prophet said: "Islam was built upon five
(pillars): `The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but
Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; the establishment
of the prayer; paying the obligatory charity (Zakaat); pilgrimage to
the House (Hajj to the Ka'bah in Makkah) and fasting (the month of)
Ramadhaan."' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Zakaat is a small portion of the Muslim's wealth that must be given to
the poor or to other specified beneficiaries. Whoever claims that
Zakaat is not obligatory and refuses to pay it, is not a Muslim, but a
Muslim who refuses to pay Zaakat due to stinginess, while affirming
its obligation, has committed a great sin for which one will be
severely punished .
Allaah, Almighty, Says (what means): "...and as for those who hoard
treasures of gold and silver, and do not spend them forthe sake of
Allaah, announce unto them a painful torment. On the Day when that
[hoarded wealth] shall be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will
be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it
will be said unto them): `This is the treasure which you hoarded for
yourselves. Now taste of whatyou used to hoard." [Quran 9: 34-35]
He, Almighty, also Says (what means): "And let not those who
covetously withhold of that which Allaah has bestowed on them of His
bounty (wealth) thinkthat it is good for them (and so they do not pay
Zakaat). No, it will be worse for them; the things which they
covetously withheld will be tied to their necks like a collar on the
Day of Resurrection..." [Quran 3:180]
There is no equivalent in any other language to the word"Zakaat" and
the meaning it conveys. It is not just a form of charity, or
alms-giving or tax or tithe. Nor, is it simply an expression of
kindness; it is all of these combined and much more. It is a duty
enjoined by Allaah anda source of purification for the individual and
society as a whole .
He, Almighty, Says (what means): "Take from their wealth 'sadaqah'
(Zakaat) in order to purify them and sanctify them with it." [Quran 9:
103]
Zakaat benefits the society in many ways. Here is an explanation of
the far-reaching effects of it :
1. Zakaat purifies the individual and his wealth. The status of his
wealth is increased with Allaah and in turn, he will be rewarded. When
a person becomes liable for paying Zakaat, a certain percentage of his
wealth should be distributed immediately in thecorrect manner, because
at that point, the wealth which is to be distributed does not belong
to him. If this wealth is retained, it spoils the status of all of his
wealth .
2. Zakaat does not only purify the property of the one who gives it,
it also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. In return, it
purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, and it
fosters in his heart good will and warm wishes toward thecontributor.
As a result, the rich and poor of society are bound together as a
unit, working together and helping one another .
3. Zakaat decreases the sufferingsof the needy and poor members of
society, however, those in need should not depend on it completely .
4. Zakaat is an effective means of developing the spirit of social
responsibility on the part of the well-to-do, and the feeling of
security and belonging on the part of the underprivileged .
5. Zakaat is a clear manifestation of the spiritual and humanitarian
interactions between the individual and society. It is a sound
illustration of the fact thatthough Islam does not hinder private
enterprise or condemn private possessions, it does not tolerate
selfish and greedy control of wealth and property. Itis an expression
of the general philosophy of Islam which adoptsa moderate and
effective course between the Individual and Society .
In conclusion, we mention a calling by Allaah, Almighty (what means):
"O You who believe! ShallI lead you to a bargain that will save you
from grievous suffering [in this world and in the life to come)? You
are to believe in Allaah and His Messenger and strive hard in Allaah's
cause with your possessions and your lives: this is for your own good
– if you had known it." [Qur'an, 61: 10-11]
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