Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice. It’s an obligatory form of almsgiving or charity that Muslims are required to pay annually, provided they meet specific criteria of wealth and assets. Zakat is typically calculated as 2.5% of a Muslim’s accumulated wealth over the course of a year. The primary purpose of zakat is to purify one’s wealth by sharing a portion of it with those in need, thereby fostering social solidarity and reducing economic inequality within the Muslim community. It serves as a means of both spiritual purification and societal welfare, reinforcing the principles of compassion, empathy, and social justice in Islam.
Certainly! Here are some key points about Zakat along with relevant Quranic verses (Ayat):
- Obligatory Nature of Zakat:
- “And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing.” (Quran, 2:110)
- “And those within whose wealth is a known right for the petitioner and the deprived.” (Quran, 70:24-25)
- Purification of Wealth:
- “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [ Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Quran, 9:103)
- Recipients of Zakat:
- “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Quran, 9:60)
- Punishment for Neglecting Zakat:
- “And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.” (Quran, 3:180)
These verses emphasize the obligatory nature of Zakat, its role in purifying wealth, the categories of people eligible to receive Zakat, and the consequences for those who neglect this duty.