IMPORTANCE & VIRTUES OF ZAKAAT
Importance of Zakaat:
Zakaat is a monetary devotion and an
ibaadat that has been ordained in the Shariats of all the Ambiya (Peace be upon
them). Zakaat is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Zakaat literally means to increase. Technically
it means to purify one's portion of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount
which has to be given to the poor as a fundamental Ibaadat. Zakaat is not a
governmental tax, but its main purpose is to keep those who are wealthy clean
monetarily from sins.
Zakaat was made compulsory at Makkah at the same
time as Salaat. This can be seen in the Surahs of the Qur'an where the laws of
Zakaat are mentioned. The amount, distributed, etc., was defined at Madinah in
the second year Hijri.
The Virtues of Zakaat:
Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an: "Allah
destroys wealth obtained from interest and will give increase for deed for
charity." ( Surah Baqarah: 276)
Prophet Mohammad
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) has said:
- The nation that does not give Zakaat,
Allah will bring about a drought on them (i.e. necessities of
life will become scarce).
- The person on whom Allah has
bestowed wealth, and he does not give Zakaat, on the day of Qiyaamah,
his wealth will be turned into a venomous bald serpent which will
wind around his neck and bite his jaws and say: "I am your wealth, I
am you treasure." (Bukhari)
It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakaat
the following benefits are derived:
- Gaining of the pleasure of Allah.
- Increase in Wealth.
- Protection from losses.
- A cause thus established for
Allah's forgiveness and blessings are obtained.
- Safety from calamities.
- Protection from the wrath of
Allah and from a bad death.
- The Zakaat will provide a shelter on
the Day of Judgment.
- Security from seventy misfortunes.
- It will serve as a shield from the
fires of Jahannam.
- It contributes to Barkat in wealth.
- It saves from fear and grief.
There are two major benefits of giving Zakaat:
- It keeps one away from sin and saves
the giver from moral ill arising from the love and greed for wealth.
- Through Zakaat the poorer class,
(those who are not capable of providing for themselves) are being
cared for, such as widows, orphans, the disabled, the poor and the
destitute.
The Punishment for not giving Zakaat:
Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an: "And
there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend in the way of
Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of
Qiyaamah heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Jahanna, then
with it they will be branded on their foreheads and their flanks and backs. (It
will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves,
taste then the treasure that you had been hoarding."
(Surah Taubah :34)
On Whom Zakaat is Fardh:
Zakaat is Fardh upon a person if:
- He is a Muslim;
- He is an adult;
- He is a sane person;
- He is a free person - not a slave,
- He owns wealth intended for trading
to the value of Nisaab;
Furthermore the wealth should be:
- Fully owned by him;
- In excess of his personal needs
(clothing, household furniture, utensils and cars etc. are termed as
articles of personal use);
- It should be poessed by him for a
complete lunar year.
- Of a productive nature from which he
can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold
silver, livestock, etc.,
There is no Zakaat on effects that are not of
productive nature even if these are in excess of one's needs, such as car,
utensils, furniture etc., If such items are not intended for trade.
Note: Zakaat is Fardh. Any person who
denies it being Fardh (compulsory) loses his Imaan. However if he recognizes
Zakaat being Fardh but neglects this duty he will be termed a Faasiq
(Transgressor).
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