What are the benefits of zakat?
The community has a great contribution in the wealth of the rich person coming into existence. Can one person become rich all on their own? So in a way the person who gives the zakat will show their shukr to Allah and they will have paid off their debt of gratitude to the community.
Zakat will bring barakat to the wealth and goods, it will allow it to greaten and increase. It is stated in the Qur’an; “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].’’[1] and “And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it (with something better).’’[2] Zakat in a way is similar to pruning trees. The person who gives the zakat will see that a part of their wealth has lessened so they will work more to make up for this and in this way growth in their wealth will take place.
Muslims must evaluate their money and they must turn it into an investment. Because those that can not evaluate their money will have to pay more zakat. In this way zakat continually keeps the market alive because it prevents people from putting their money under their pillows and it ensures the possibility of a cash flow.
Zakat distances the person from being stingy, it turns them into a giving and generous person. When wealthy Muslims give their zakat to those in need, they will also have gained the love and admiration of people. In this way an ideal and peaceful community will have come about in where everyone treats eachother with love and respect, where everyone trusts one another, where jealousy has been removed and where social solidarity is carried out in the best way possible.
In the way zakat cleans the wealth of the rich persons from haram earnings, it also cleans their heart from stinginess. Our Rabb states in the Qur’an: “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity (zakat) by which you purify them and cause them increase..’’[3]
Zakat is a social cooperation and aid system. Zakat and other ways of helping others financially in the Islamic religion, removes the imbalances that can arise from the difference of wealth between the rich and poor person and in this way it allows for the establishment of peace in the community.
Zakat is the bridge of Islam. It brings the rich and the poor closer to one another.
Our Prophet has stated “place your wealth under potection by giving the zakat, cure your sicknesses by giving the sadaqa, prepare yourself with dua for future disasters’’.
[1] Surat Ibrahim, Ayah 7[2] Surat Saba’, Ayah 39[3] Surat At-Tawbah, Ayah 103
Source: Fiqh1 (According To The Maliki School Of Islamic Law), Erkam Publications
