What is the importance of Zakat in Islam? Zakat according to language means certain assets that must be issued by a Muslim to be given to people who are entitled to receive it such as the poor and so on. Zakat in terms of language means clean, holy, fertile, and growing. Zakat itself is the fourth pillar of Islam.
Islam teaches us many things through the Qur’an and Sunnah, and giving zakat is one of them. Paying zakat is one way to show our care to others in need.
If a Muslim feels the pain that other people feel in this case of life’s hardships, then giving charity or zakat is the best way to relieve their suffering.
Giving zakat reminds us as Muslims to be humble before Allah, that every treasure we have in life comes from it.
Giving zakat by spending 2.5% of our wealth is obligatory for Muslims. This is known as shadaqah (alms), mostly issued when Muslims face calamity or disaster. Although so many also give without any particular reason just to get a reward from Allah.
The advantages of paying zakat:
1. Perfecting the Islam of a Muslim. Zakat is the fourth pillar of Islam, if you do not fulfill it, you are not perfect as a Muslim
2. Shows the magnitude of one’s faith. Wealth is indeed something that is very dear to one’s soul, so if one is able to spend it in the way of Allah by expecting Allah’s pleasure, it shows the magnitude of one’s faith.
3. Unite Muslims. By paying tithe with sufficient wealth, being able to help people in need, it can strengthen the relationship between fellow Muslims.
4. Get to know God’s laws and regulations better. With zakat, of course, someone knows what the nishob of zakat is and who people need it.
5. Adding treasure. Allah will increase the door of sustenance from people whose wealth is zakat.
6. By giving zakat, sins will be forgiven.
The reward given depends on the intentions and benefits. Charity serves as a way to bring justice, balance, and goodness to every level of society.
What we hope as a Muslim is to be willing to give alms to those in need in the right way and be able to contribute to efforts to eliminate poverty in society.
