The Power of Zakat

Bismillah.

Tonight I’ll be talking about 

1. What is zakat?
2. The purpose of zakat
3. The importance of zakat 

Many times in the Qur’an when Allah mentions salah, He also mentions zakah. Both both them are obligatory duties for every Muslim. 

Zakat as ‘an increase in good, purification, or praise ... It is called zakat because one’s wealth grows through the blessings of giving it and the prayers of those who receive it …’ (Muhammad Shirbini Khatib as quoted by Ahmad Ibn Naqib al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, p. 246)  

Allah says in Surah at-Tawbah,

"And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and they establish the salah and they pay their zakah, and they obey Allah and His Messenger. On these Allah will have mercy, for He is almighty and wise." (9:71)

One scholar commenting on this verse says that ‘zakat is the duty that cements the bonds within the Muslim community. It reflects the material and spiritual solidarity within this community. (Sayyid Qutb, In the Shade of the Qur’an, Vol.viii, p. 205)

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘Charity does not in any way decrease wealth.” (Sahih Muslim #2588; Jami at-Tirmidhi #2029, sahih; al-Muwatta, Book 58 #12) Imam Muslim and Imam at-Tirmidhi both record this Hadith in their books on taqwa. 

1. Zakat is not a tax, it is ibadah.

Some authors call zakat a charity tax. Calling it a tax, puts people in the frame of mind to try to minimise their tax, or to try to find loopholes and seek out ways to get the most out of your tax. However, zakat is ibadah. Zakat purifies your wealth, creates brotherhood and sisterhood among Muslims and leads to our spiritual growth.

Zakat is the cure for greed and stinginess. 

Zakat is what Allah loves. Allah is the One who gave us the wealth we have and He is asking us to pay zakah on that wealth. Thus, the purpose of zakah is for us to become closer to Allah, to acquire taqwa, to become righteous people.

2. Zakat is spiritual purification and growth

Zakah helps us cure our love for our wealth and this dunya. It instils in us the compassion and empathy needed to become a true believe. Zakah is not only for the benefit of the poor but it is for our benefit as well. It purifies our wealth as well as our soul. Hence, zakat cleanses our hearts and allows us to stand pure in front of Allah.

One scholar states that ‘it purifies the giver of sin and extolls him by testifying to the genuineness of his faith.’ (Muhammad Shirbini Khatib as quoted by Ahmad Ibn Naqib al-Misri, Reliance of the Traveller, p. 246) 

3. Zakat is being grateful to Allah 

Zakat shows Allah that we are grateful to Him for all the bounties and blessings He has bestowed upon us throughout our lives.

Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah,

“Be grateful to Me and never be ungrateful to Me.” (2:152)

And,

“Be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He whom you worship.” (2:172)

In Surah al-Imran it says,

“Allah will reward those who are grateful.” (3:144)

“And We shall reward the grateful.” (3:145)

4. Zakat is for the local community where you live

One of the forgotten principles of zakat is that it is to be given to the poor within our community. This means that we as individuals and as a community need to find poor people in our community and to give them our zakat in their hands.

Zakat was meant to create bonds between Muslims, poor Muslims and wealthy Muslims. It is to show people that we care for them, because we looked for them and went to gave our zakat to them. Giving your zakat to organisations and third parties diminishes this great act of ibadah. 

Of course, if there is a greater need outside our local community than by all means do give your zakat overseas, however, try your best to ensure that the local needs are met first.

So the take home message is:

1. Zakat is ibadah
2. Zakat is for our spiritual purification and growth
3. Paying zakat shows Allah we are grateful to Him
4. Zakat should start with our local community