Post by Islamic Revival on Oct 27, 2004 3:38:28 GMT -5
Zakah – Purifying the Believers
During this blessed month, many Muslims will be taking the opportunity to gain the extra reward of Ramadhan by paying their zakah. However, unfortunately today we find that many of the Islamic rules have been discoloured by capitalist thoughts; this influence has even tainted the very motivations for why Muslims carry out their Islamic duties, such as the duty of paying zakah. Some may pay and give zakah as a means to achieve certain tax breaks, others may give zakah to be seen as generous amongst the people, or many may do it as a means to satisfy their humanitarian urge of wanting to support other people in need, and others pay it with a heavy heart.. In essence it can become an individualistic thing, submitting to the personal desires to dictate how, when and who to give zakah to. All of the above examples illustrate the important need for us to understand the rules of zakah according to how the shari'ah has set it, and to achieve the values that Islam has obliged.
Significance of zakah - Purifies the believer
The word zakah is derived from its Arabic verbal root, meaning to increase, to purify, and to bless. The origin of the Islamic rule is in the Qur'an where Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commands:
ÎõÐú ãöäú ÃóãúæóÇáöåöãú ÕóÏóÞóÉð ÊõØóåøöÑõåõãú æóÊõÒóßøöíåöã ÈöåóÇ
"Take sadaqah (sadaqah) from their property in order to purify and sanctify (zakihim) them" [TMQ At-Taubah: 103]
That is why this kind of sadaqah is called zakah, for by paying it; one is aspiring to attain blessing, purification and the cultivation of good deeds.
Zakah is defined in the Shariah as a determined right due from certain types of wealth. It is one of the worships ('Ibadat) and a basic element (Rukn) of Islam, like prayer, fasting and Hajj. It is only obliged upon Muslims, and is not taken from the non-Muslims.
An obligation set by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala).
As mentioned, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) has made giving zakah one of the pillars of Islam, placing it next to Salah. The obligation of zakah is established from many evidences in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) also mentions that those who give the zakah, will be greatly rewarded by Him (Subhanahu wa ta’aala).
Åöäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇú æóÚóãöáõæÇú ÇáÕøóÇáöÍóÇÊö æóÃóÞóÇãõæÇú ÇáÕøóáÇóÉó æóÂÊóæõÇú ÇáÒøóßóÇÉó áóåõãú ÃóÌúÑõåõãú ÚöäÏó ÑóÈøöåöãú<br>
"Truly, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salat, and give zakah, they will have their reward with their Lord" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 277].
However the neglect of giving the zakah, and hoarding the wealth from the people, has been condemned in many hadith. For example Al-Ahnaf bin Qais narrated that Abu Dhar (ra) reported that RasoolAllah (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,
ÝÞÇá ÈÔÑþ þÇáßÇäÒíäþ þÈÑÖÝþ þíÍãìþ þÚáíå Ýí äÇÑ
Ìåäã ÝíæÖÚ Úáì ÍáãÉ ËÏí ÃÍÏåã ÍÊì íÎÑÌ<br>ãä þäÛÖ þßÊÝíå æíæÖÚ Úáìþ þäÛÖþ þßÊÝíå ÍÊì
íÎÑÌ ãä ÍáãÉ ËÏííå íÊÒáÒá
"Inform those who hoard wealth, that a stone will be heated in the hell-fire and will be put on the nipples of their breasts till it comes out from the bones of their shoulders and then put on the bones of their shoulders till it comes through the nipples of their breasts the stone will be moving and hitting."
[Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, Number 489]
These ayah and honourable hadith indicate the importance of paying zakah, it is something which must not be taken lightly is but something which we must be aware of and give great importance to. This is especially important as we live in a capitalist society where making money, hoarding it and spending it on oneself is encouraged. The duty of paying zakah reminds us that the wealth we have is a trust, and a responsibility for which we will all be accounted and tested.
The intention (An-Niyah).
Intention is a condition for zakah, this means that the person must propose in his heart the intention to pay zakah. This is what differentiates this spiritual action from any material action. Without the intention for paying zakah as a duty to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) the action will have no value in Islam. Without the niyah payment of zakah has no reward. This is because the Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,
ÅäãÇ ÇáÃÚãÇá ÈÇáäíÉ<br>
"Indeed, the a'maal (actions) are by the niyah (intention)..." (Agreed)
If the believer has this in his mind while paying the zakah he would distance himself from the arrogance and pride that may come when giving it.
As with all Ibadaat actions zakah needs to be done with pure devotion, not affected with any personal considerations or desires. This is, for example, like the throwing of the pebbles at the three Jamrahs during Hajj. No benefit is derived from the Jamrah or from the throwing of pebbles. In this case the main purpose of the Hukm (rule) is the trial of man through the action. This is in order that he may show his servitude and bondage to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) by doing these actions which have no rational meanings or benefits. Therefore real servitude to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) is revealed through the complete obedience to His (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commandments and not through obedience for some other reason.
Thus, when one is giving the zakah he should be doing it for no other reason than this. He should not be seeking worldly benefit for paying the zakah. He should not have the mentality that he expects something in return from the zakah he has paid.
The Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) ordered that man proves his bondage to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) through blind obedience to His (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commandments regardless of whether or not they are agreeable to him and irrespective of his desire and inclination to obey them.
During this blessed month, many Muslims will be taking the opportunity to gain the extra reward of Ramadhan by paying their zakah. However, unfortunately today we find that many of the Islamic rules have been discoloured by capitalist thoughts; this influence has even tainted the very motivations for why Muslims carry out their Islamic duties, such as the duty of paying zakah. Some may pay and give zakah as a means to achieve certain tax breaks, others may give zakah to be seen as generous amongst the people, or many may do it as a means to satisfy their humanitarian urge of wanting to support other people in need, and others pay it with a heavy heart.. In essence it can become an individualistic thing, submitting to the personal desires to dictate how, when and who to give zakah to. All of the above examples illustrate the important need for us to understand the rules of zakah according to how the shari'ah has set it, and to achieve the values that Islam has obliged.
Significance of zakah - Purifies the believer
The word zakah is derived from its Arabic verbal root, meaning to increase, to purify, and to bless. The origin of the Islamic rule is in the Qur'an where Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commands:
ÎõÐú ãöäú ÃóãúæóÇáöåöãú ÕóÏóÞóÉð ÊõØóåøöÑõåõãú æóÊõÒóßøöíåöã ÈöåóÇ
"Take sadaqah (sadaqah) from their property in order to purify and sanctify (zakihim) them" [TMQ At-Taubah: 103]
That is why this kind of sadaqah is called zakah, for by paying it; one is aspiring to attain blessing, purification and the cultivation of good deeds.
Zakah is defined in the Shariah as a determined right due from certain types of wealth. It is one of the worships ('Ibadat) and a basic element (Rukn) of Islam, like prayer, fasting and Hajj. It is only obliged upon Muslims, and is not taken from the non-Muslims.
An obligation set by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala).
As mentioned, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) has made giving zakah one of the pillars of Islam, placing it next to Salah. The obligation of zakah is established from many evidences in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) also mentions that those who give the zakah, will be greatly rewarded by Him (Subhanahu wa ta’aala).
Åöäøó ÇáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇú æóÚóãöáõæÇú ÇáÕøóÇáöÍóÇÊö æóÃóÞóÇãõæÇú ÇáÕøóáÇóÉó æóÂÊóæõÇú ÇáÒøóßóÇÉó áóåõãú ÃóÌúÑõåõãú ÚöäÏó ÑóÈøöåöãú<br>
"Truly, those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salat, and give zakah, they will have their reward with their Lord" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 277].
However the neglect of giving the zakah, and hoarding the wealth from the people, has been condemned in many hadith. For example Al-Ahnaf bin Qais narrated that Abu Dhar (ra) reported that RasoolAllah (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,
ÝÞÇá ÈÔÑþ þÇáßÇäÒíäþ þÈÑÖÝþ þíÍãìþ þÚáíå Ýí äÇÑ
Ìåäã ÝíæÖÚ Úáì ÍáãÉ ËÏí ÃÍÏåã ÍÊì íÎÑÌ<br>ãä þäÛÖ þßÊÝíå æíæÖÚ Úáìþ þäÛÖþ þßÊÝíå ÍÊì
íÎÑÌ ãä ÍáãÉ ËÏííå íÊÒáÒá
"Inform those who hoard wealth, that a stone will be heated in the hell-fire and will be put on the nipples of their breasts till it comes out from the bones of their shoulders and then put on the bones of their shoulders till it comes through the nipples of their breasts the stone will be moving and hitting."
[Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, Number 489]
These ayah and honourable hadith indicate the importance of paying zakah, it is something which must not be taken lightly is but something which we must be aware of and give great importance to. This is especially important as we live in a capitalist society where making money, hoarding it and spending it on oneself is encouraged. The duty of paying zakah reminds us that the wealth we have is a trust, and a responsibility for which we will all be accounted and tested.
The intention (An-Niyah).
Intention is a condition for zakah, this means that the person must propose in his heart the intention to pay zakah. This is what differentiates this spiritual action from any material action. Without the intention for paying zakah as a duty to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) the action will have no value in Islam. Without the niyah payment of zakah has no reward. This is because the Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,
ÅäãÇ ÇáÃÚãÇá ÈÇáäíÉ<br>
"Indeed, the a'maal (actions) are by the niyah (intention)..." (Agreed)
If the believer has this in his mind while paying the zakah he would distance himself from the arrogance and pride that may come when giving it.
As with all Ibadaat actions zakah needs to be done with pure devotion, not affected with any personal considerations or desires. This is, for example, like the throwing of the pebbles at the three Jamrahs during Hajj. No benefit is derived from the Jamrah or from the throwing of pebbles. In this case the main purpose of the Hukm (rule) is the trial of man through the action. This is in order that he may show his servitude and bondage to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) by doing these actions which have no rational meanings or benefits. Therefore real servitude to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) is revealed through the complete obedience to His (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commandments and not through obedience for some other reason.
Thus, when one is giving the zakah he should be doing it for no other reason than this. He should not be seeking worldly benefit for paying the zakah. He should not have the mentality that he expects something in return from the zakah he has paid.
The Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) ordered that man proves his bondage to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) through blind obedience to His (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) commandments regardless of whether or not they are agreeable to him and irrespective of his desire and inclination to obey them.