What is the wisdom of Zakat ?

Allah Almighty has obligated Zakat upon His Muslim servants and made it a key to entering Paradise and increasing sustenance. Zakat is not an optional act or a charitable contribution, but rather an obligation on every capable Muslim due to its positive effects on the individual and society. Not only does it purify and cleanse the wealth of the giver and open the gates of Paradise for them, but if Muslims commit to Zakat, society will be rectified, and love and harmony will prevail.

Therefore, here is our article to learn together about the wisdom of Zakat, leading to the benefits of Zakat for society and the individual in Islam.

What is the wisdom of Zakat?

The existence and obligation of Zakat have a divine wisdom that brings good to both the individual and society. Allah Almighty legislated it for many reasons, the most prominent of which are the following:

• Purifying souls from stinginess and accustoming the self to giving and generosity instead, along with getting used to purification and spending for the sake of Allah, which brings blessings and goodness to wealth and sustenance.
• Promoting a spirit of cooperation among people, which creates a loving society and contributes to meeting people's needs, improving their conditions, and alleviating their suffering.
• Atoning for sins and attaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty and winning His mercy.
• Distributing wealth among all classes of society rather than confining it to one group, to achieve stability and happiness for everyone.
• Zakat is the believer's way of thanking Allah for sustenance and blessings by offering and spending money for others who are in need.
• Reminding everyone that Allah is the one who sent this wealth and is its owner, and the servant must spend what is possible for those who deserve Zakat in compliance with Allah's commands.

The Wisdom of Zakat in Islam

Allah Almighty commanded Zakat, and Islam encouraged it for the following reasons:

• Zakat achieves the interests of the people and meets the needs of many of the poor and needy.
• Zakat increases the blessing of wealth.
• It unites the hearts of Muslims as it carries the noblest and most sublime goals to alleviate the worries of the needy.
• Zakat achieves social solidarity in its best forms.
• It purifies the soul from stinginess, greed, and love of money.
• Zakat educates the believer to love people and feel a sense of responsibility towards them.
• It achieves balance and justice among the classes of society.

The Wisdom of Zakat on Crops and Fruits

Zakat on crops and fruits is one of the most important pillars of the Zakat system in Islam. It is imposed on what the earth produces, whether irrigated by rain or by human effort. Here is the wisdom behind it:

• It helps achieve economic justice and social solidarity among individuals.
• It increases and grows wealth.
• It contributes to the development of society by distributing wealth and resources to everyone.
• It achieves cohesion among members of society and rejects hatred, envy, and resentment among them.

What is the wisdom behind the legislation of Zakat al-Fitr?

The wisdom behind the legislation of Zakat al-Fitr is as follows:

• Zakat al-Fitr comes to comfort the poor and be gentle with them.
• It purifies the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity and atones for any forbidden acts committed by the fasting person during the fasting period.
• It is the Muslim's way of thanking Allah Almighty for His blessings, such as reaching the holy month and completing the fast.
• It is a purification for the fasting person and a completion of what was lacking in the Muslim's worship due to shortcomings or mistakes.
• It contributes to building a strong society where social justice and solidarity prevail.

The Wisdom of Specifying the Nisab in Zakat

Specifying the Nisab (minimum amount) in Zakat has great wisdom, which is represented by the following:

• It takes into account the individual's situation and their financial and economic status. Zakat is imposed on those who possess wealth that qualifies them for Zakat without their family's daily and life needs being affected.
• Specifying the Nisab in Zakat is an important means of achieving economic balance and justice among those who pay Zakat, which ensures the rights of the poor and needy groups.

Benefits of Zakat for the Society and the Individual in Islam

Zakat has great virtue and immense benefits for the individual and society because it is not just a financial obligation, but an act of worship that carries economic and social dimensions. Therefore, we will present to you the most prominent benefits of Zakat for society and the individual in Islam:

Completing Obedience to Allah and a Condition of a Person's Islam

A Muslim's obedience to Allah and their Islam are incomplete without Zakat, as it is the third pillar of Islam. Zakat is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah, and Islam has encouraged it as it indicates the strength of faith. It is an important condition that shows the Muslim's commitment to the teachings of Allah's religion because Zakat accustoms the Muslim to humility, purifies their wealth, and habituates them to generosity and giving, making them a contributing individual in achieving a righteous and cohesive society.

The Sincerity of the Giver's Faith

Zakat is considered one of the purest deeds that indicate the sincerity of faith because it demonstrates a person's ability to sacrifice their wealth for the sake of Allah. Zakat purifies the believer from greed and stinginess and accustoms them to sacrifice and love for others. In this, there is a purification of the soul from selfishness and providing what is possible to the poor and needy.

It Elevates and Increases the Giver's Morals

Zakat teaches the Muslim good manners and virtuous morals because it accustoms them to generosity, sacrifice, humility, and compassion for the poor and needy. Consequently, Zakat raises the giver to high ranks in this world and the hereafter by purifying the soul, erasing sins and wrongdoings, and replacing them with good deeds. This will bring the Muslim closer to their Lord and open the gates of Paradise for them.

It Expands the Chest and Comforts the Soul

Zakat grants an indescribable psychological comfort and tranquility, which brings joy to the heart. When performing Zakat and giving it to its rightful recipients, the giver will feel their role in improving the conditions of many in society by meeting the needs of the poor, which achieves a balance between the giver's needs and the needs of others, thus leading to a righteous society.

A Reason for Entering Paradise

Zakat is one of the greatest humanitarian deeds and obligations commanded by Allah. It brings the believer closer to their Lord by feeding the poor and needy and empowering them to be able to provide for their daily needs. This makes Zakat a reason for entering Paradise. The evidence for this is the hadith of Abdullah ibn Salam, that the Prophet ﷺ said: "O people, spread peace, feed the hungry, and pray at night while people are asleep, you will enter Paradise in peace."

Enhancing the Role of Social Solidarity Among Members of Society

Zakat strengthens relationships between individuals in society and enhances social solidarity, which increases the bonds of love and affection due to the poor's kindness and love for those who have been good to them. Here, the Islamic nation becomes loving and cooperative as if it were one family.

Zakat is not just an obligation; it is a path to solidarity and mutual support, and through it, society is reformed.

It Protects from the Heat of the Day of Judgment

The Zakat that Allah has commanded us is one of the means of salvation from the torment of the Day of Judgment because Zakat erases sins and wrongdoings and replaces them with good deeds, which brings a person closer to Paradise and further from Hell. Whoever abandons Zakat will be tormented with the wealth they left behind on the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Every man will be in the shade of his charity on the Day of Judgment," which means that charity is what saves from the Fire, and whoever withholds it is in the Fire.

A Reason for the Increase of Blessings and Abundance of Sustenance

Allah Almighty blesses the provision and wealth of the Zakat giver. Whoever gives Zakat from their wealth will see it increase many times over. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "No people withhold the Zakat of their wealth but that they are deprived of rain from the sky."

Zakat grows and blesses wealth. Whoever gives Zakat and is good to the poor and needy will have their blessings increased, will have a high status with Allah Almighty, and will pave the way for entering Paradise and drawing closer to Allah.

It Extinguishes the Lord's Anger

Zakat is the believer's way to gain Allah's pleasure; it extinguishes His anger, erases bad deeds, and replaces them with good ones because it pleases the Most Merciful. Zakat expresses deep faith in Allah and abundant obedience, and this will earn the believer the love of Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Charity extinguishes the Lord's anger and prevents an evil death."

It Purifies Wealth from Ambiguities and Atones for the Giver's Sins

Zakat purifies and cleanses wealth and keeps it away from ambiguities. It also atones for sins and wrongdoings because whoever gives Zakat to a poor person and improves their condition, Allah will replace their bad deeds with good ones, if any. It is worth noting that Zakat is the best way to purify the soul and wealth from anything forbidden. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the wisdom of Zakat?

The wisdom of Zakat is to prevent hatred and resentment, unite the hearts of Muslims, purify hearts from greed and stinginess, and achieve equality among members of society.

What is the wisdom behind the legislation of Zakat al-Fitr?

The wisdom behind the legislation of Zakat al-Fitr is twofold: to purify the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity during the month of Ramadan, and to help the poor and provide them with food on the day of Eid.

What are the benefits of Zakat for the individual and society?

Zakat unites hearts, increases the bonds of love, and enhances kindness and mercy among individuals in society.

Does Zakat protect wealth?

Yes, Zakat protects wealth; it increases, blesses, and develops it.