The Almighty said: "And establish prayer and give Zakat" [Al-Baqarah 110]. The Holy Quran has paired it with prayer in twenty-eight verses.
And God Almighty has issued a stern warning to those who neglect Zakat, saying: "And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of God - give them tidings of a painful punishment" [At-Tawbah 34]. The meaning of spending in the way of God here is the giving of Zakat. Just as He, the Almighty, testified to the success of the humble worshipers, so too did He testify for those who pay Zakat, saying: "Successful indeed are the believers, those who during their prayer are humble, and those who turn away from ill speech, and those who are observant of Zakat" [Al-Mu'minun 1-4]. Thus, humility in prayer, giving Zakat, and turning away from ill speech are traits of the believers, which the Almighty combined in His saying: "But whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success, and remembers the name of his Lord and prays" [Al-A'la 14-15].
In the doctrine of Tawhid (Monotheism): The pairing of Zakat with prayer in the Book of God has a profound meaning, which is that a believing servant cannot achieve a correct connection with God Almighty unless he also has a connection of brotherhood in God, because prayer is the connection of the heart to God, and Zakat is the confirmation of brotherhood in God between the rich and the poor. Whoever aids the beloved of God out of love for them, God will be his Beloved and Helper, and will admit him into His house of honor.
The Almighty also said: "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven ears; in each ear is a hundred grains. And God multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And God is all-Encompassing and Knowing" [Al-Baqarah 261].
Above all, a person must intend for their Zakat to be for the sake of God Almighty, sincere in their intention, so that it may be accepted by God Almighty.
Imam Ali (PBUH) said in Nahj al-Balagha: "Furthermore, Zakat has been established alongside prayer as a sacrifice for the people of Islam. Whoever gives it with a willing soul, it is made an expiation for him, and a barrier and protection from the Fire."
This is followed by not showing favor or causing harm, and spending from the best of one's wealth. It is said: Showing favor is to mention the charity, and harm is to display it. The Messenger (PBUH) said: "God does not accept the charity of one who shows favor."
Imam al-Ghazali said in his book "Minhaj al-Arifin" (The Path of the Knowers): "And for every part of your body, there is a Zakat owed to God. The Zakat of the heart is reflecting on His wisdom, greatness, power, blessings, and mercy. The Zakat of the eye is looking with a lesson and averting one's gaze from desire. The Zakat of the ear is listening to what leads to your salvation. The Zakat of the tongue is speaking what brings you closer to Him. The Zakat of the hand is holding back from evil and stretching it out in goodness. The Zakat of the foot is striving towards what brings about the soundness of your heart and the safety of your religion."
Regarding the meaning of Zakat:
Zakat purifies its giver from miserliness and frees them from the slavery of wealth, as the Almighty said: "And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful" [Al-Hashr 9]. It also contains gratitude for the blessings of God Almighty and the revival of the virtues of generosity, mercy, and compassion, which are virtues that fill the heart and strengthen faith and piety.
On whom Zakat is obligatory
Charity is taken from the rich and given to the poor.
We conclude with the words of the Almighty: "Indeed, God has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise" [At-Tawbah 111].
Whoever knows the value of spending wealth for the pleasure of God hastens to offer charity and abandon excess, so that the highest Paradise may be their final abode.
Edited on: 7 Rabi' al-Awwal 1430 AH. Corresponding to 3/3/2009 AD.
Tawhid Knowledge
Issued by the Office of the Sheikh al-Aql
of the Druze Monotheist Community
