AZ-ZAKAAT

THE OBLIGATION OF ZAKAAT

Zakaat, which holds the third position among the five pillars of Islam, is mentioned more than thirty times alongside Salah in the Qur'an-e-Karim.

Allah Ta'ala commands:

"Establish Salah and pay Zakaat."

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Islam is built upon five pillars:

1. The testimony that there is no deity except Allah Ta'ala and that Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) is His servant and messenger.
2. Establishing Salah.
3. Paying Zakaat.
4. Performing Hajj.
5. Fasting during the month of Ramadhan." (Bukhari/Muslim)

As with other obligations (Faraa'id), denying the obligatory nature of Zakaat is an act of apostasy. After the departure of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), a group of people refused to recognize the obligation of Zakaat during the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu). He then decided to wage Jihaad (battle) against them.

After consulting with the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum), they unanimously agreed with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) after he explained that there isno difference between the obligation of Salah and that of Zakaat.

In a Hadith recorded by Muslim, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"I have been commanded to wage Jihad against the people until they testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) is the Messenger of Allah, and until they establish Salah and pay Zakat. Only when they have fulfilled these obligations will they have safeguarded their lives (their blood) and their wealth, and their 'Hisaab' (judgment) will rest with Allah Ta'ala."

A person does not hesitate to sacrifice his life for his progress, prosperity, and well-being. However, if we were aware that something was actually harmful rather than beneficial, we would never strive to attain it. Would a rational person make every effort to accumulate something that would ultimately harm his future? Would anyone devote all their time, energy, skill, and knowledge to feeding snakes and scorpions? Undoubtedly, an intelligent person who seeks his own well-being would never do such a thing.

Yet, paradoxically, most people engage in similar self-destructive behaviours. Consider the following example:

A person works tirelessly, almost 24 hours a day, earns a substantial income, spends it, saves some of it, but neglects to pay the Zakat ordained by Allah Ta'ala. What will become of him?

Allah Ta'ala warns:

"Verily those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah Ta'ala, then give them the good news of a painful punishment the Day when it will be heated in the fire of Jahannam and their foreheads, their sides and their backs will be branded with it, 'This is what you used to hoard for yourselves, so taste what you hoarded.'" (9:34-35)

WEALTH TURNED INTO A SNAKE

In a Hadith recorded in Bukhari Sharif, Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported thatRasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"If Allah Ta'ala grants wealth to a person who does not pay Zakat, that wealth will be transformed into a large snake with two black spots above its eyes (a distinctive mark of an extremely venomous species). On the Day of Qiyamah, this snake will coil around his neck, clinging to his jaws, and say: 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure!'"

Then, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) recited verse 180 of Surah Aal-e-Imran (Surah 3):

"Those who are miserly with what Allah has given them from His bounty should never think that this is best for them. Indeed, it is worse for them. That with which they are miserly shall soon be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgement. To Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Informed of what you do."

The Welfare of Man in Zakat

Zakat is a means of purifying one's wealth and ensuring that one's efforts are not in vain but instead bring benefit in the Hereafter.

Hadhrat Jabir (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"The wealth on which Zakat has been paid is not part of the 'Kanz' (hoarded wealth)."

In other words, wealth from which Zakat has been given is purified and will not be a source of punishment in the Hereafter for the person concerned.

PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF IBAADAAT

Just as Zakat is of great importance, so is the knowledge of its regulations, ensuring its proper and valid payment. If, due to partial or total negligence, a person fails to fulfill the regulation or conditions correctly, they may find themselves deprived of the Ibaadah‎ of any record of Zakat in our file, even though they have been paying it throughout their life.

This principle applies to all forms of Ibaadaat (acts of worship). For example, consider Salah: one of its essential conditions is taharah (purity). If someone performs Salah throughout their life without fulfilling the conditions of taharah, none of their Salah will be counted. Consequently, they will stand before their Creator in the Hereafter without any record of Salah.May Allah protect us!

A Hadith from Tirmizistates that Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported:

"One day, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) entered the mosque, followed by another person. After performing Salah, the man greeted Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). In response, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: 'Go back and perform your Salah, for indeed, you have not prayed.'"

This happenedthree times. Finally, at the man's request, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) taught him how to perform Salah correctly. The reason for these repeated instructions was that, according to scholars, the man had neglected the principle of Tam’aneenah—which means performing Salah with calmness, peace, and serenity.

Similarly, a Hadith from Bukhari states that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) once ordered a Sahaabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) to repeat his Qurbani (sacrifice) because he had performed it before the Eid Salah, whereas it is a principle that Qurbani must be done after Eid Salah.

This highlights an important reality: sincerity in worship, while essential for acceptance,is not sufficient on its own. One must also adhere to the correct principles as well as regulations!

This is where we realize the significance of the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) where it is said:

"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."

The knowledge referred to in this Hadith is the knowledge of religious principles and regulations that enable a person to perform their Ibaadaat properly. Thus, every individual upon whom Salah, fasting, Zakat, or Hajj is Fardh (obligatory) must learn the rules and conditions necessary for their proper fulfillment.

As soon as Salah, fasting, Zakat, or Hajj becomes obligatory upon a person, learning the rules governing them also becomes obligatory.

May Allah, Al-'Aalim (The All-Knowing), grant us all the Taufiq to acquire 'Ilm Sahih (correct knowledge) and 'Ilm Nafi' (beneficial knowledge). Ameen!

[English version of "Az-Zakat" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 2]