The Meaning of Zakah
Zakah is the third pillar of Islam.
What does Zakah mean to Muslims and how important is it?
- Zakah refers to the compulsory charity that must be paid by the owner of specified amounts of wealth.
- In many verses of the Qur’aan and sayings of the Prophet ﷺ , Zakah is mentioned next to prayer (Salah). Zakah is an obligation through which the believers may develop many praiseworthy characteristics such as love, kindness, generosity and cooperation among Muslims.
- When Muslims give Zakah, they help the poor and use their wealth in a beneficial way. The wealth that Muslims spend in this way is a blessing from Allah ﷻ .
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan
“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” (Soorat al-Baqarah: 3)
- Zakah is the third pillar of Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Islam is built upon five: declaring that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah ﷻ and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷻ , establishing Salah, paying Zakah, fasting the month of Ramadaan and going on Hajj.” [Bukhaari]
The Benefits of Zakah :
- Zakah shows how much Islam cares about people.
- By paying Zakah, one is purified, from greed and miserliness.
- By giving Zakah, a person helps the needy and is encouraged to be generous.
- People who pay Zakah are blessed in their wealth. Allah ﷻ increases the wealth of those who pay Zakah.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan
“Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] He will compensate it, and He is the best of providers.” (Soorat Saba’: 39)
Discussion questions for comment
- What does Zakah mean?
- Why is Zakah important to Muslims?
- What does Allah say about the wealth that Muslims have been blessed with?
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