Assalam oalaikum,
The Arabic word zakat means to be clear or to grow. The significance of Zakaat in Islam can be understood by the fact that it is the third pillar of Islam and it has been mentioned in the Holy Quran 32 times. Allah (swt) has commanded us in the Holy Quran to give zakat and has also mentioned about the rewards of doing so and about the sin in abstaining from it.
In this post and in the subsequent ones I shall discuss the verses in which the Holy Quran has laid down the rulings on zakat.
“And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of his bounty (wealthy) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory zakat). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar, on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the Heavens and the earth and Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.” (TMQ-3:180)
In this Quranic verse Allah (swt) has severely criticized those stingy people who hoard the wealth granted to them by Allah (swt). They presume that hoarding of wealth will prove to be good and beneficial for them. Their lust for wealth prevents them from paying zakat. However, these people do not realize that their wealth will be of no use for them, in the life hereafter. In fact, the wealth which they eagerly hoard in this world will hinder their success in the life, hereafter. There is a hadith from Sahih Bukhari which elucidates the point mentioned in verse 3:180.
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra) that Allah’s (swt) Apostle (saw) said, ‘Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be transformed into a bald-headed, venomous male snake with two black spots over its eyes. The snake will entwine around the neck of the stingy person and bite his cheeks. The snake will say, ‘I am your wealth and your treasure’. Then the Prophet (saw) recited the Quranic verse, 3:180.
Thus, on the one hand this verse forbids miserliness and hoarding of wealth and on the other hand it commands us to pay zakat, so that we can earn the Goodwill of Allah (swt) in this world and also in the world, hereafter.
Keep Me In Your Prayers.
Amel Soname
Amel_soname@yaoo.com
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