Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, as in the authentic hadiths narrated by Ibn Umar that the Prophet, peace be upon him said: “Islam is built upon five pillars:
Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying Zakat, etc).
- The Concept of Zakat
Linguistically: Zakat has many meanings:
- Growth and development: The Arabic root zaka means grow, increase, and prosper.
- Purification, indicated by the words of Allah Almighty: “Take from their wealth charity to purify and to purify and cause them to increas them with it” [At-Tawbah: 103]. 1/2. In
Shari’a: A specified share of money paid to a certain specific segment.
- The relationship between the linguistic and Shari’a meaning:
Zakat in the linguistic sense: Increase and Growth in this world and in the Hereafter.
- Increase in the world: As the Prophet peace be upon him said: “Whoever opens a door to alms-giving, charity or a kindness Allah will cause it to make him prosperous.” [Sahih Al-Jami’].
id: “Allah Almighty accepts charity, and takes it with His Right Hand, to make it grow as one of you breeds his horse so that a bit becomes as huge as Mount Uhud.” [Sahih Al-Jami’].
The linguistic sense of Zakat: purification for the Zakat payer and the money:
- As purification for the Zakat payer, according to Allah’s saying: “Take charity from their wealth to cleanse and to purify and cause them to increas them with it” [At-Tawbah: 103].
- As purification for the money, as narrated by Jabir may Allah be pleased with him: The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, said: “Whoever pays his Zakat will have evil removed from him.” [Narrated by At-Tabarani, Ibn Khuzaymah, and Al-Hakim who said that it is authentic according to the condition of Muslim.]