Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives; Allah adds to his respect, and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people)” (Muslim).
Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives; Allah adds to his respect, and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people)” (Muslim).
Zakat is such an essential part of Islam. It is considered the third of the five pillars of our faith. Zakat is an obligatory payment made to the poor, vulnerable, and deserving as their established right given by God.
But why is Zakat important?Â
Here are five ways of giving Zakat can transform your life and the lives of others.
Zakat Purifies Your Wealth
In the Quran, God tells us that charity purifies our wealth:
“Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them to increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing” (Quran, 9:103).
Zakat Prevents Calamity
If you give Zakat, you are giving charity that is decreed by God. When you give charity, you are protecting yourself and your loved ones from tests that could come your way.
The Prophet Muhammad, on him be peace, said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity” (Al-Tirmidhi).
Giving Zakat Lessens the Love of Dunya (World)
Giving away a portion of your wealth lessens your attachment to material things in this world. Giving Zakat, as prescribed by God, will prevent miserliness in your heart. Giving Zakat allows us to give away wealth we otherwise would grow attached to. In the Quran, God says:
“You will not attain to righteousness until you spend of what you love” (Quran, 3:92).
Zakat Elevates Your Status
In Islam, we believe giving charity will never decrease your wealth. It will only increase you. The Prophet Muhammad, on him be peace, said: “Allah, the Exalted, says, ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you’ ” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Not only does giving Zakat increase your wealth, but it will also raise your reputation with others. Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives; Allah adds to his respect, and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people)” (Muslim).
Zakat Brings the Pleasure of God
When you spend in the way of God with Zakat, you attain God’s pleasure. In the Quran, God says:
“[True] righteousness is [in] one who believes in God, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives of their wealth, despite the love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes Prayer and practices regular charity” (Quran 2:177).
May we all be among those who God is pleased with! Zakat Foundation of America is a leader in empowering lives through Zakat. They swiftly carry out your zakat duties correctly and dutifully. If you have questions about Zakat, visit the Zakat Resource Center at Zakat Foundation of America here. If you are ready to calculate your Zakat, please visit a Zakat Calculator here. If you are ready to give Zakat, please give here.
