Zakah: Encouragement to Give it

Zakah: The virtues of giving it.

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• A Muslim firmly believes that the wealth he/she has does not really belong to him/her.
  It is, in fact, the property of Allah ﷻ , and it is only given in trust to people. It is also a test from Allah. Those who use it in a way required by Allah ﷻ will be successful and those who waste it and spend it on worthless or irreligious pursuits subject themselves to the anger of Allah ﷻ . Those who appreciate it, Allah ﷻ will increase it for them, and those who abuse it, will bring the punishment of Allah ﷻ upon themselves. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe”.” (Soorat Ibraaheem: 7)

• Allah ﷻ does not only command Muslims to give Zakah,
  He also creates a desire within Muslims to engage in this important act of worship.
  Muslims are encouraged through various blessings and benefits to give Zakah.
  The promised rewards, blessings, and benefits are both in this world and in the Hereafter.

In the Qur’aan, Allah ﷻ says:

“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?” (Soorat Al-Baqarah: 245)

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضْعَافًۭا كَثِيرَةًۭ ۚ(سورة البقرة : ٢٤٥)

• In the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ , the great benefit of giving Zakah is mentioned. The Prophetﷺ said:

“Spend in charity and you will certainly be provided for.” (Bukhaari)

• He also said:

“Everyday two angels come down [from heaven] and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause’, and the other [angel] says, “O Allah! Destroy every miser.” (Bukhaari)

What we learn from the lesson:

1. The great favor of Allah ﷻ on the believers.
2. The rewards for giving Zakah.
3. Giving can only benefit us.

• Some of the rewards and benefits of giving Zakah are:
  • A person’s property and possessions are protected by giving Zakah.
  • Zakah provides safety from calamities to the person who gives it.
  • Zakah increases a persons wealth many times.
  • If a man pays Zakah on his property, it will protect him from the possible evil influences derived from the ownership of that property.
  • Through Zakah the poor will develop strong love and brotherhood with those who give Zakah; for example, they will respect them. The poorer members of the community wil be looked after, and the community will therefore be more successful.
  • Allah ﷻ will provide for the one who gives Zakah.
  • The one who gives Zakah will be rewarded in the Hereafter.
  • He who gives Zakah will enter Jannah.
  • He who gives Zakah will attain the Pleasure of Allah ﷻ .

“Discussion:”

1. Explain why we would say that the wealth we have does not really belong to us.
2. Write one aayah of the Qur’aan and one hadeeth that encourage the giving of Zakah.
3. List four things that would encourage you to give Zakah.