Importance of zakat in Islam | Zakat (poor due) and its impacts | Islamic Studies
Introduction
Importance of zakat in Islam | Zakat (poor due) and its impacts. Among the fundamental tenets of Islam Zakat occupies a place next in importance only to belief and Salat. As one would say, it is third pillar of Islam. At numerous places in the Quran, Zakat has been associated with Salat. The Quran categorically states that whoever wants to enter the brotherhood of Islam, shall have to establish regular Salat and pay Zakat regularly. Both are equally fundamental in importance. Zakat is of little use if it does not spring from a prayerful mood, having no trace of selfishness. Zakat creates Islamic brotherhood of the whole of the world. By establishing the system of Zakat, Allah desires to prepare a society among the Muslims themselves which surpasses in fellow-feeling and Islamic brotherhood. The giving and taking of the Zakat develops the society on a sound footing of love.
Importance of Zakat in Quran and Hadith
Many times in the Quran order of Zakat is side by side with Namaz. While reading the Quran come across number of times the commands:
―Be steadfast in prayer, practice regularly charity‖
One several occasion it has been spoken of by the Quran as a characteristic feature of Muslim that, ―They establish prayer and practice regular charity‖ These two verses go to show emphatically that those who do not offer Namaz and, fail to pay the Zakat are infect, not Muslims for the two basic attributes and distinguishing features of qa genuine Muslim are not present in them.
In one of his Traditions, the Prophet (PBUH) has said:―He who possesses gold or silver but does not fulfill the obligations that are attached to possession (i.e. does not pay Zakat), plates of fire will be prepared for him on the Day of Judgment. These plates will be branded with them. The plates will be heated up again and again to brand him and this will continue throughout the Day of Judgment which will be equal to fifty thousand years in this world.‖
Objectives of the Zakat
- Purification of the Soul (Self purification)
- Help of the poor
Masarif of Zakat (Those Deserving of Zakat)
In Quran, eight categories of people who have been described in the Holy Quran as entitled to receive Zakat.
- Fuqara (The destitute)
- Masakin (The poor)
- Amilinalaiha (Those who are deputed to collect Zakat)
- Maullafat-ul-qulub (Those whose hearts are to be reconciled)
- “Fir-riqab” (For the emancipation of slaves)
- “Al-Gharimin”
- “Fi-Sabilillah” (In the cause of Allah)
- Ibn-us-Sabil (Wayfarer)
Nisab‟ (Minimum Scale) of Zakat on some articles
- Silver: 200 Dirhams or 52.5 tolas
- Gold: 7.5 tlas (3ozs)
- Camel: 5 Camels
- Goat: 40 goats
- Cow: 30 cows
- Merchanise: Equal to the price of 52.5 toals of silver (21 Ozs.)
Impacts of Zakat on Human life and society
Spiritual Impacts:
- Zakat removes greed
- Zakat removes Love of Materialism
- Zakat Brings man Closer to God
- Self-Purification
- Individual Strength
Moral Impacts:
- Shield against crime
- Zakat Creates Generosity
- Zakat purifies Heart and Property
- Internal Security, Humanitarian Spirit
Social Impacts:
- Individual Welfare lies in Collective Welfare
- Co-operation
- Defense of Religion
- Distribution of Wealth
- Balanced Ideology
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