Introduction to Zakaah 1/2

All Praises are due to Allah alone, and may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him (Muhammad peace and blessing be upon him) after whom there is no Prophet, and upon his family and companions.

To proceed:

I wrote this treatise in order to sincerely advise and remind [the Muslims] about the obligation of Zakaah, a matter in which many Muslims have been too careless and lenient. Many do not offer their Zakaah in accordance to what has been legislated in the religion, despite its greatness and its being one of the five pillars of Islam without which it (Islam) cannot stand. The Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said:

«Islam has been built (by Allah) upon five: The testimony (Shahaadah) that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullaah); establishing Salaah, giving Zakaah, Fasting (Sawm) the month of Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House [of Allah] (the Ka’bah)» (Bukhari and Muslim).

The fact that Zakaah is an obligation upon the Muslims is one of the most apparent indications of the beauty of Islam and the concern it has for its adherents. The benefits of Zakaah are indeed numerous, and (it has been made obligatory) due to the dire need of the poor amongst the Muslims.

From its benefits are the following:

1. It strengthens the bonds of love between the rich and the poor, for it is from human nature that a person shows affinity to those who treat them well.

2. It purifies and cleanses the soul and distances it from greed and avarice, as indicated in the Noble Qur`aan when Allah says:

{خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا}

'Translation' {Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it} [Surah at-Tawbah:103].

3. It causes Muslims to grow accustomed to performing acts of generosity, hospitality and empathy towards those who are in need.

4. It brings increase and blessings to one’s wealth, and Allah replaces it (the wealth given as charity with something better), as Allah said:

{وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ}

'Translation' {And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers} [Surah as-Saba´39].

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These episodes about Zakaah were taken from the book of  Zakaah by Sheikh Abdul-Azeez ibn Baaz which was translated The Islamic Propagation Office at Rabwah (islamhouse).