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- November 21, 2023
- Uzair Zubair
- 0
Zakat became mandatory in Islam during the second year of the Hijri calendar, some eighteen months after the arrival of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to Madina. It is one of Islam’s Five Pillars and asks financially able Muslims to offer a portion of their money to those in need.
Zakat is a divine command and an ordinance from Allah. It is not a personal matter or voluntary contribution, but rather a duty for which one shall be held accountable before Almighty Allah.
Allah says in Quran,
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one another: They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay their Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.”
(Surah Al-Taubah 9:71)
Zakat: Third Pillar of Islam
As the third pillar of Islam, Zakat is first and foremost an Ibadah (worship) with the most essential spiritual impact on purification and sanctification. Tathir (purification) and Tazkiyah (sanctification) are the Qur’anic terms for obtaining Zakat out of their amwal (wealth). Tazkiyah also refers to material and/or spiritual progress.
‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Islam is based on five (principles): To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle, to offer the prayers dutifully and perfectly, to pay Zakat, to perform Hajj and to observe fast during the month of Ramadan.”
(Bukhari)