Rethink Your Zakat - Here's why...
As Muslims, we all know the Five Pillars of Islam and incorporate it into our lives on a regular basis. We pray at least 5 times a day and Fast in Ramadan every year while abiding to their specific rulings. Yet when it comes to Zakat, which we only need to do once a year, many of us lack the understanding of the ordained rules on its calculation, distribution and the blessings it brings for us as a Pillar of Islam. Let's understand this beautiful form of worship and its impact on you as an individual.
The rippling effects of Zakat start with you
When people think of Zakat, most people associate it primarily with the poor and needy. The general thought process revolves around validating:
- Are people really in need of Zakat?
- Is the person's situtation really Zakat eligible and do they belong to one of the eight categories of recipients mentioned in the Quran?
- Are these individuals more deserving than other causes that you believe deserve your Zakat more?
Unfortunately, most people look at Zakat the other way around. They look at Zakat primarily from the perspective of those that receive Zakat, and not from the perspective of themselves, the payer of Zakat.
“And whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in zakāh, desiring the face [i.e., approval] of Allah - those are the multipliers” (30:39).
Zakat purifies and multiplies your blessings
Zakat is an act of worship that many simplify as charity and interchange with Sadaqah – but it is much more than that. The importance of abiding and practicing the Pillar of Zakat is mentioned in the Quran 32 times alongside the Pillar of Salah (daily prayers), which reinforces its obligatory nature as a form of worship.
The root word of Zakat literally means growth and ‘to purify’. As Zakat is given to those in less fortunate circumstances from the wealth of those who are in better circumstances, re-distributing this wealth promotes growth within us and our wealth like the pruning of a plant, while growing our community.
Beyond that, Zakat reinforces core Islamic values in us as individuals, which are already built into our deen, our religion –
- Love
- Kindness
- Compassion and
- Generosity
This act of giving through Zakat also fosters continual care for our brothers and sisters – reaping the rewards in this world and the Hereafter as payers of Zakat.
Sheikh Yahya Ibrahim explains why a Muslim is expected to give Zakat and how this act of worship blesses and purifies our lives and our wealth.
“Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward” (64:15).
Zakat is your test and a blessing in this life
The Five Pillars of Islam can be seen as tests for various aspects we are meant to embody as Muslims – both the visible and the invisible.
Zakat, however, tests both sides as giving away a part of our wealth tests our love for worldly life and our ego in some respects. Zakat or Sadaqah is inherently difficult for us as humans because of our internal struggles and love for worldly pleasures – and Allah SWT is aware of that.
For you to have given away even a small portion of your wealth requires the ability to continually purify your intentions and give wholeheartedly, to have trust in Allah and that He will place His Barakah in your wealth and life.
Interested to learn more?
If you'd like to start rethinking your Zakat and its impacts on your life as a Muslim, send through your contact details below and we'll have an NZF team member assist you in this journey.
Please note that any information you provide will be kept private and confidential.
Any information provided will be kept private and confidential