The Importance of Zakat
This is a very
important matter. It relates to one of the pillars of Islam. Allah describes the
taking of zakat in the following manner.
"Take alms from
their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it." [Soorah
at-Tauba 103]
[Zakat] is one of
the foundations of Islam. If the foundation is weak, then this weak foundation
will have ramifications for other aspects of our lives.
Today, how many
Muslims in the world honestly, sincerely and properly pay zakat to purify their
wealth and to help their Muslim brethren. Since we are missing lacking or very
weak in that foundation, is it any surprise that:
So many Muslims are
starving and in need today.
So much Muslim wealth is wasted on luxury.
So much Muslim wealth is spent on forbidden items.
So little Muslim wealth is spent on jihad and sacrificing for the sake of Allah.
The Messenger of
Allah (peace be upon him) was ordered to fight the people until they made the
shahada, established prayer and paid zakat. Abu Bakr continued that teaching
after him. What does that mean for us today? Does that mean that if they were
alive today, we would be from those who wouled be fighting alonside them or
would we be from those whom they would be fighting?
Let us make sure
that we pay the zakat and fulfill all of the other pillars of Islam correctly
and sincerely for Allah's sake, so that our Islam as a whole will be strong and
Allah will be pleased with us.