Zakah

Zakat is an important and essential part of Islam as it is one of the pillars upon which Islam is founded. It is important just as testimony of the faith, praying, fasting, Hajj and any good deed that one is obliged to perform. Allah SWT always mentions Salah and Zakat together in the Glorious Qur’an. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 43; Allah says, “And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow (in worship and obedience)”. It is mandatory upon every Muslim to spend in the way of Allah with pure intention to gain the eternal pleasure of Allah. We should give more often as it will be a means of protection on the Day of Resurrection. The more a person gives, the more Allah increases one in it and cleanses the wealth as well as fortune.

Zakat is of different types. The most important and that which is fardh upon every Muslim is Zakat al-maal and Zakat al-Fitr. The voluntary sadaqah is sunnah and is highly encouraged. Zakat al-maal is a spiritual obligation for Muslims to be carried out once a year. It is an act of donating a certain amount of your wealth (2.5%) to the poor and needy. Zakat al-Fitr is specifically given at the end of Ramadan i.e. before the Eid prayer. Every adult Muslim who possesses food over their needs must pay zakat al-Fitr. The head of the household can also pay Zakat al-Fitr for their dependants such as children, servants and any dependent relatives.

It should be noted that Allah does not like the stingy person who withholds his wealth. He loves those who spend secretly and openly in His way. There is even a dua that I have attached that one must say to keep themselves safe from the miserly etiquette. A true believer should remind themselves that the more they will give in the pathway of Allah, the more he will be distanced from the fire and will attain his protection in this life and the life to come. We should also keep in mind whatever we spend in this world even if it is a little amount but with the pure intention, we will find it with Allah in an even better way. Allah says in Surah Yousuf- “Truly, Allah does reward the charitable”(88). Remember Allah SWT will question us about how did we take care of the less fortunate? So, we should prepare ourselves beforehand. We are heading towards Him Alone. Allah says- “And fear a day when you will be returned to Allah then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.”

Charity acts as a cleanser for our wealth as well as our fortune. It works extensively as a barrier between you and the calamity. One must always remember the more you give and show gratitude, the more you will be increased in miraculous ways as the Prophet SAW said in an authentic hadith- “No wealth is decreased because of charity.” And in another hadith where he SAW said- “The believers’ shade of the Day of recompense will be his charity” (Tirmidhi). Allah SWT also commands in the Qur’an -“And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction by refraining. And do good, indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” (2:195).

So we should constantly strive with our soul and wealth and voluntarily participate in the charitable work. This will benefit us in this life and the life to come when we will be wanting to go back and yearning to perform deeds that will benefit us. I pray that Allah makes us among those who make sincere efforts in spending in His pathway with no other intention but to seek His salvation. Aameen.