Q: How are the individuals and the community benefited by almsgiving (Zakat)?
Almsgiving or Zakat is one of the five foundational pillars of Islam, as stated in a Hadith numerous times, reported by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar,
“Islam has been built on five pillars: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad S.A.W is the last messenger of Allah, establishing Salat, paying Zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House and fasting in Ramadan.”
Zakat is an act of worship. It is obligatory for Muslims who possess wealth called “Sahib-i-Nisab.” In the view of Islamic teachings, Zakat purifies one’s wealth. It is a specified percentage of the income or assets that a Muslim pays each year. This money is spent in the way of God to benefit the underprivileged.
The significance of Zakat can be measured by the fact that Allah reminds humans 32 times in the Quran. Holy Quran frequently states that the sign of a devout Muslim is that he pays out the poor due and alms only for the pleasure of Allah. Sacrificing wealth is a test of the sincerity of the Muslim faith. It indicates that they treasure the love of Allah over everything else, and the love of wealth cannot come their way. Thus, by paying Zakat, a believer expresses his love for God and the eternal life of the Hereafter following the Quranic assurance that says, “whatever of good you give (spend) benefits your own souls– whatever good you give shall be rendered back to you and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (2:272, al-Baqarah)
This payment of Zakat purifies the heart of a believer, as it eliminates greed, miserliness, and the desire to accumulate wealth and infuse the love of God. The Quran condemns such unhealthy wishes in these words:
“Woe to every scandal-mongerer and backbiter. Who piles up wealth and lays it by. Thinking his wealth would make him last forever.” (Surah 104, al-Humaza)
Besides, Zakat brings blessings to the giver as it expiates his sins. When a believer regularly pays out his charity, it cools down the anger of Allah, and his sins are washed away, as indicated in this Hadith,
“Charity that is concealed (not showed off) definitely apeases the wrath of God.”
Zakat is a good deed that offers numerous communal advantages too. It is the medium through which society fosters kindness, fraternity and equality. It eliminates class disputes since by contributing to Zakat, the wealthy are recognized as well-wishers of the poor. Such sentiments of mercy, gentleness, and kind-heartedness undoubtedly benefit the community when people adopt a helpful attitude towards those in need.
Zakat is the foundation of the Islamic financial and economic system. It stimulates investment rather than hoarding. It circulates money throughout society from the wealthy to the impoverished. This circulation of wealth in society fosters a healthy community dominated by God-fearing and compassionate people. Consequently, the necessities of the poor are satisfied, and they not only pray for the rich fellows but also are attracted towards hard work instead of getting tempted towards crimes and antisocial tendencies.
Zakat is an aid for such people that progressively empowers them to stand in society and enables them to earn themselves. Furthermore, it aims to discourage beggary from society. The Quran draws the attention of the rich towards this by saying,
“And in their wealth is the right of the needy, him who asked (beggar) and him who was prevented from asking (the less previleged).” (51:19, al-Dhariyat)
The ultimate goal of paying Zakat is to generate a vast pool of funds that may be used to eradicate poverty, continually assist the poorer, and initiate public welfare programs. It may eventually create a community where almost every person would be ready to pay but hardly anyone to receive Zakat. Such a target had been achieved by the second caliph Hazrat Umar.