Zakat: Purity

Imagine a beautiful garden with plants and flowers. It is essential to remove weeds for the garden to thrive. This is the original meaning of the word zakat. This is the third in a series of articles on Understanding Zakat: Practical Guidance on the Wisdom, Rules, and Etiquette of Giving Zakat.

Zakat also purifies your lawful (halal) money. Many people do not understand that leaving Zakat without paying it out makes your money unlawful (haram) because the money does not belong to you anymore. It belongs to the people who should receive it. Leaving it within your money is as if you have a gun and stole this money from them and added it to your money. 

In the long run, it corrupts your money so you have to give out. That is why the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Fortify your money with Zakat.” It is reported that ‘A’isha said she heard God’s messenger say, “Zakat is never mingled with any property without destroying it.” Al-Humaidl adding that he said, “Sadaqa will be incumbent on you and you will not pay it, so what is forbidden will destroy what is lawful.”

It is not yours anymore, it has to be given out. One of the reasons for deficiency in your money and its destruction is that you do not give. Even though it might apparently look like your money is getting lower when you give Zakat. The reality is that this apparent and outward deficiency will be removed very soon when Allah gives you even more. It has a real increase in your feelings, understanding that you are a human being, and an increase in other things.

Give Out of Love for Allah

Sometimes a person may be heedless of the blessings. One may think he does not have a lot of money but he may have successful children and a very happy life. Whatever you think is outwardly getting less, it is actually inwardly getting more. Allah says:

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ

“The remarkable similitude of those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah is like that of a single grain that put forth seven bounteous ears of grain, in every ear a hundred grains; And Allah multiplies whole times over for whomever He wills” [Quran, 2:261; tr. Keller, Quran Beheld]

وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًۭا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍۭ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌۭ فَـَٔاتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌۭ فَطَلٌّۭ ۗ

“And the striking similitude of those who spend their wealth earnestly seeking the lasting good pleasure of Allah, and out of determined resolve born of deep conviction from themselves, is like a lush orchard on a fertile rise that is struck by a downpour, so it redoubles its yield; And had it not been struck by a downpour, even a slight rain would do it well” [Quran, 2:265; tr. Keller, Quran Beheld]

When you give out of the love of Allah and seeking His pleasure, anything that you give will be of benefit, even if you do not give a lot. Even the little that you give will still give the fruit. Allah says:

وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍۢ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ

“And whatever alms you give wanting nothing but Allah Himself; Those shall reap profit whole times over.” [Quran, 30:39; tr. Keller, Quran Beheld]

This teaches us to invest money in the development and improvement of the societies and human beings. 

People’s Love

The giver of Zakat benefits from attaining and achieving people’s love and respect. When you give and help, people will love you. They will not hate you. They will rush to help you if you have a trouble or problem. 

Those who receive the Zakat, one may notice the look of gratefulness in their eyes. They continue to supplicate for them. You are not banning them but you are relieving them from their plights and problems. When you are charitable towards people you are enslaving their hearts. For it is always the case that charity enslaves people. If you give to someone, he becomes loyal to you. 

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) guided and looked after the Companions. It is reported that our master Anas ibn Malik said, “When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) passed away, we did not recognize our hearts.” Imam Bajuri says this is what happens when a great man dies. It does not mean that their faith left or departed from their hearts. It means that the lights of a great man, when they stop, affect the heart. When you go into the company of righteous people your heart feels different. 

Giving to people makes their hearts attached to you. It saves their religion.