[vc_row][vc_column][peach_title_shortcode title=”Zakat: The Important Pillar of Islam”][vc_column_text]There are five important pillars of Islam. Profession of Faith known as Shahada, Prayer (Salat), Alms or Zakat, fasting (Sawm) and Pilgrimage known as Hajj. It is mandatory for every Muslim to have a firm belief in all of these 5 pillars of Islam. Zakat or Alms is one of the important pillars of Islam.
Zakat is an Arabic word which relates to praise, cleanliness, blessing, and growth. Zakat is a form of charity, the charity that helps to clean your wealth and enhances the blessings of Allah SWT in your life. Zakat is mandatory on every Muslim once a year whose wealth reaches to a certain threshold for certain time period. This threshold is also called nisab, and that time period is called Hawl. Zakat is design in such a way that a wealthy person may help the poor people in society and it also helps in empowering the communities
Importance of Zakat
Zakat has great societal importance. Zakat not only help the giver to clean his wealth, but it also helps the receiver to meet his needs. The power and importance of Zakat cannot be denied. Zakat is an incredible act to help and support the society. For example, if only the 10n wealthiest people in this world pay Zakat, that would make a sum of 10.62 billion dollars. From this Zakat money, thousands of thousands of people living in poverty and miserable conditions can make their life better. Imagine what would be the sum of Zakat money if everyone takes part in giving zakat.
The importance of Zakat for a Muslim
Zakat is an order from Allah (AWT) to the muslims. In Quran, Allah SWT mentioned Zakat 33 times. One can have the idea and importance of Zakat by this. If we look at the teachings of Prohphet Muhammad (PBUH) we can also see the importance of Zakat. Allah has promised to reward those who pay zakat every year to support the community. In Quran, Allah SWT also warn that the ones who do not pay zakat shall be punished on the day of Judgement.
Benefits of giving Zakat
Wealth Cleaning
Zakat internally purifies soul as well as your wealth. It’s a mode to acquire discipline, depicts your obedience to Allah (SWT) and upsurge the love for your brothers and sisters all over the world.
Brotherhood Signal
Zakat gives us a message of unity and brotherhood. The Qur’an defines as brothers in belief and Zakat is one of the finest ways to prove this brotherhood.
Allah SWT said in Quran
“But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and give their Zakat, they are your brethren in Faith.”
Zakat is the best way of increasing harmony, love, and connection amongst Muslims.
Faithful community
Allah SWT said in Quran:
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay their Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” (Surah Al-Taubah 9:71)
This means that people who fulfil their obligation of paying zakat not only fulfil the faith He enjoyed on them, but by paying zakat, people become of those people who attain the mercy of Allah (SWT).
Gaining closeness to Allah (swt)
Zakat is both a spiritual and physical act, and thus it’s a method of attaining closeness to Allah (swt).
Sins Removal
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Giving charity wipes away sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
Zakat is one of the highest deeds a person can ever do, with your reward being possibly infinite. It is both the right of Allah (swt), and the poor. In datum, an Islamic body like Islamic country or Islamic state may forcibly take Zakat from the wealthy people if they deny to pay Zakat.
We at Auburn Islamic Community Centre are proud to have 100% Zakat Donation Fund! Our 100% Zakat donation funds spend every single penny of your Zakat donation on the people who need the zakat most, which gives you the 100% reward from Allah SWT. You could specify your Zakat donations either to feed the poor, sponsor an orphan or even to support those people affected by Covid-19.
The word ‘Zakat’ means growth, cleanliness, praise, and blessing; Donate as much as you can to help your brothers and sisters living a miserable life and give them a chance to have better life. May Allah SWT rewards you for this kind act.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
