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Zakat (Obligatory Almsgiving) | Meaning | Nisab | Masarif | Spiritual, Moral and Social Impacts

        

ZAKAT

        The Quran uses the term 'zakat' around thirty times for referring to the obligatory almsgiving which constitutes the third Pillar of Islam. It is always mentioned in conjunction with the term 'salat' (obligatory act of prayer) except in Surat al-Muminun in which a verse is interpositioned between the mention of zakat and salat. 

'Successful indeed are the believers. Who are humble in their prayers. And who shun vain conversation, and who pay poordue' (al Muminun 23:1-4).

The Quran uses the term 'sadaqa' to indicate obligatory almsgiving in two verses: 'Take alms out of their riches and thereby cleanse them and bring about their growth (in righteousness)' (al-Tawbah 9:103); 

and 

"The alms are only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free those in bondage and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise" (al-Tawbah 9: 60).

Many traditions of the Prophet (PBUH) establish the obligatory religious duty of giving alms, such as the one reported by Ibn Abbas: 

"When the Prophet, sent Muadh to Yemen he said: 'If you meet the People of the Book invite them to bear witness that there is no god but God and that I am the Messenger of God; if they accept this, tell them that God, has made obligatory upon them the payment of charity (sadaqa) which is taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor among them; if they accept this, beware of taking bribes and taking more than you should and beware of the complaint of the oppressed to God for there is no barrier between him and God".

Literal and Conventional Meaning of Zakat:

The Arabic word Zakat assumes vast meanings. 

It means "purification", "growth", and "giving better part of a thing."

Zakat literally means "that which purifies". 

Zakat is considered a way to purify one's income and wealth from sometimes worldly, impure ways of acquisition. 

According to Sachiko Murata and William Chittick;

"Just as ablutions purify the body and salat purifies the soul (in Islam), so zakat purifies possessions and makes them pleasing to God."

Muslim is concerned that his wealth is purified by zakat as this will increase his wealth in this world and increase his reward in the Hereafter.

Nisab of Zakat:


Masarif of Zakat:


Impacts of Zakat:

  • Spiritual Impacts:

  1. Zakat removes greed and inculcate Piety
  2. Zakat removes urge for materialism.
  3. Self-Purification

  • Moral Impacts:

  1. Zakat Introduce Passion to strive in way of ALLAH
  2. Zakat creates sense of generosity
  3. Zakat purifies Heart and Property
  4. Humanitarian Spirit

  • Social Impacts:

  1. Individual welfare lies in collective Welfare
  2. Material assistance of impoverished
  3. Defense of Religion
  4. Circulation of Wealth

-Thank You-

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