Why is Zakat Important?

As the Third Pillar of Islam, Zakat is a duty that every eligible Muslim is obliged to complete. This eligibility stems from a fortune that exceeds the Nisab threshold, which then dictates that 2.5% of one’s capital must be paid as Zakat annually. From a Zakat perspective, wealth doesn’t solely apply to money; additional vehicles/property, shares, silver, and gold must also be considered.

So, in short, Zakat is an obligatory charitable donation that must be made by qualifying Muslims, but what else can be said about the religious duty?

What is Zakat, and why is it important?

Zakat is a charity that Allah (SWT) compels Muslims to pay annually for their wealth. This payment is typically paid to the poor, vulnerable, and needy. It was established by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the Third Pillar of Islam.

The notion of Zakat is important in a number of ways, whether these relate to individuals, the Islamic faith, or the Five Pillars of Islam.

Why is Zakat important to a Muslim?

Zakat is important to a Muslim because it purifies one’s wealth. Materialism and greed are sinful acts, meaning it isn’t permitted for individuals to hoard wealth while others have nothing. As a result, it’s important that Muslims rid their belongings of impurities by paying their Zakat to redistribute their blessings.

Allah (SWT) ultimately decides who’s wealthy and who’s not, but He leaves it up to his followers to share the blessings he provides them with. Consequently, Muslims should never become consumed by meaningless worldly goods and instead focus on their character.

In addition to cleansing one’s wealth, paying Zakat allows Muslims to grow closer to Allah (SWT). This is the number one goal of every Muslim, so anything that contributes to this needs to be welcomed with open arms.

The prioritisation of one’s connection with Allah (SWT) over worldly possessions shows a strong commitment to one’s religion and trust in the Almighty. By expressing such devotion to the Creator, Muslims will be rewarded for such.

Why is Zakat important in Islam?

Since everyone is deemed equal in the eyes of Allah (SWT), no one deserves more wealth than anyone else. As a result, the redistribution of wealth is essential, wherein financially stable Muslims are responsible for helping those in need. Far too often, people in need are left unrecognised, which is why Zakat is so important to the community.

In order to be a devout member of the Muslim community, one must recognise that they’re not more deserving of their blessings than anyone else and work to level the playing field. The ultimate goal of the Islamic community is to eliminate prejudice and hierarchy, which is partially eradicated via Zakat.

To that avail Zakat helps alleviate suffering for some of the most desperate members of society who don’t deserve such pain. The whole premise of Islamic teachings is that the entire Ummah should operate as a family and look out for one another.

For the poorest members of the Ummah, a Zakat payment can be the difference between life and death. As members of the Islamic community, individuals must take the right steps to save lives and elevate the Ummah.

Why is Zakat the most important Pillar of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the foundations that all Muslims must base their lives around. The other four Pillars are Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. If one doesn’t live and die by each of these Pillars, one cannot be deemed a true Muslim in the eyes of Allah (SWT). In fact, failure to comply with each of these basic duties will call for much repentance to obtain Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness. Without this forgiveness, Muslims won’t be accepted into Jannah.

While every one of the Pillars is designed to bring Muslims closer to righteousness, Zakat is among the most important. This is because it encourages shared responsibility and forces Muslims to assess their relationships with wealth. It promotes the idea that being a member of the Islamic community means looking out for others that share your faith. Sharing personal blessings with those who need them most is one of the most important aspects of being a Muslim. Moreover, it incites the recognition that wealth is a temporary blessing and not something that lives on after death.

Donate Your Zakat to UKIM

Bearing in mind just how important Zakat is to individuals, the Ummah, and the Pillars of Islam, UKIM accepts your Zakat payments. We’ll distribute your donation to those who need it most worldwide, alleviating suffering on a global scale. Your Zakat payment has the potential to save lives, so don’t hesitate to make your donation today.

We look forward to receiving your payment and using it to change the world.

Pay your Zakat to UKIM to fulfil your obligation to yourself, your community, and Allah (SWT).