Zakat The Fourth Pillar Of Islam, Zakat and its importance

[john a thompson]

The meaning behind Zakat

Zakat is an Arabic word that means "to cleanse" is the Arabic word. Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam is a pillar that follows Salah. Zakat is described as cleansing one's soul financial and wealth through giving alms and charity. This foundational pillar of Islam is a means of establishing equality among Muslims by ensuring that they have equal financial and social standing.

The history of Zakat

According to various sources the prophets before Muhammad (SAW), were also required to pay Zakat payments. But, it was an optional requirement for the prophets prior to Muhammad (SAW). Zakats payments was made a mandatory requirement for all Muslims once Islam was accepted in full. The Zakats were paid by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and at an exact time every year.

Zakat's significance:

It is evident the significance and significance of Zakat through the fact that it's mentioned at least 82 times in the Holy Quran alongside Salah. It is evident the significance of Zakat in a variety of Quran occasions.

Zakat and Zakat and Holy Quran

Surah Baqarah's 43rd verse talks about Zakat:

Make the prayer a reality and then pay the Zakat, and bow with everyone who bow.

Surah Mujadilah's Verse 13 focuses on the idea of Zakat:

"And Continue to establish the Prayer and distribute Zakat-Charity."

Surah Baqarah verse 274 also refers to Zakat

"Those who donate their time and funds to charities in secret and publicly will be rewarded from the Lord. They'll have nothing to fear and will not be grieved."

The Hadiths The Fourth Pillar

Muhammad (SAW) Muhammad (SAW), the Prophet of Islam was the one who declared Zakat is: Zakat is:

"A wealthy person can do the most effective charity." Begin giving to those who depend on you first. (Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 24, 507)

He also recounts another incident:

"Everyday two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says"O Allah! Give all those who invest on Your Cause. The other angel (an angel) declares, "O Allah!" Destroy every miser." (Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 24,539)

Zakat and its recipients

The Quran lists 8 kinds of people for who one can pay Zakat.

1. The poor are those who are unable to pay for their basic needs
2. The most in need are those who are who are in desperate need of any kind of assistance
3. Administrators as well as Zakat collectors to give out more
4. People who recently converted Muslims and are unable to meet their necessities
5. Slaves and captives
6. People who are inundated by debt
7. People who fight or travel on behalf of Allah
8. Travelers with limited resources

The benefits of charitable giving:

The payment of Zakats can bring many benefits to the community and for spirituality. They include:

• Zakat is the term used to define equality.
• Zakat cleanses soul and wealth
• It helps you get closer to Allah
• Zakat removes our guilt
• It promotes the bonds of brotherhood
• Zakat is a tool that reduces inequalities and encourages balanced societies.
• It purifies one's character
• Zakat is a method to stop poverty
• Zakat removes the bitterness and odd feelings from the souls of the poor
• Zakat In the same way, takes pride away from the heart of the wealthy.

The reason for giving almsgiving is to help people.

Zakat's primary goal is to encourage the concept of brotherhood and equality within Muslim society. Almsgiving was conceived to remove the difference between the king and slave. This principle of Islam permits the Muslim to cleanse their money and makes them Halal. The less fortunate and in need in the state are helped with kindness, without idea of superiority or judgement.

Conditions for Zakat

These are the conditions to be qualified to receive Zakat. Zakat:

• It is a method to draw a person closer to Allah and to give him the blessing of Allah. The person giving it must be an Muslim.
• A person who donates to charity must be capable of calculating Zakat and be wealthy enough to be able to afford these.
• He should be mature and adult enough to understand the significance of Islam's principles.
• He is not an enslaved person, or even a captive.

The Curriculum of the Zakat

The Zakat curriculum (Nisab) stipulates that the wealth of a person must be greater than the threshold amount. There are two methods to calculate the Nisab. You can choose to use gold or silver.

The Nisab for gold is 87.4g of gold or equivalent in cash. The Nisab for silver is 6112.3 grams of gold, or the equivalent amount of cash. You may also offer Zakat as pensions, cattle or other agricultural products.

Zakat and Zakat and Today's Era

In our modern times the idea of paying Zakat is not as common. This has led to an unbalanced society, non-purification of wealth, and a skewed distinction between wealthy and poor. These catastrophes also cause grave harm to the brotherhood and power of Muslims. Their unity is less than it was before. To address these issues, the rulers need to establish appropriate institutions and train their staff to collect Zakat, so that the present era and generations to come are not denied these blessings and crucial pillars.