Benefits of Zakat

P1: introduction

P2: Individual benefits

P3: Communal benefits

P1: (same as before)

P2:

- Fulfils an obligation since it is a pillar of Islam [2:43]

- It makes us steadfast in the performance of our obligations (annual calculations and timely
payments makes us perform other obligations more fervently)
- It purifies our wealth
- Prophet (PBUH) said, “zakat is the filth of people’s wealth..”.
- It increases ones wealth (spending in the way of Allah increases wealth instead of decreasing
it) [2:261]
- It cleanses the heart of a believer from love of material wealth (since they know the more
they accumulate, the more they’ll have to give in zakat)
- This helps increase spirituality of muslims as they let go of their love for wealth
- It encourages muslims to look beyond their own needs and help out those who themselves
cannot fulfill their own needs (hence creating a society based on kind heartedness and
brotherhood)
- It makes us grateful to Allah for bestowing us with all the blessings we have (as looking at
the state in which people who receive zakat live in creates a profound sense of gratitude in
us)
- It minimizes the envy poor people feel towards the rich people (creating harmony in the
society with no hatred between the various sections of the society)
- It helps the poor become independent (as they can use the amount received from Zakat to
establish a source of income for themselves, which they otherwise, would have never been
able to do)

P3:

- During the time of H. Uthman (RA), there were no poor people left to give zakat to since
zakat ensures an equitable society
- Payment of Zakat by the community ensures that Allah’s wrath is not incurred and that the
money being earned by everyone is halal
- Raises standard of living, raises the number of people who are employed and thus lessens
the number of crimes being committed in a society
- The difference between the rich and the poor isn’t allowed to grow and hence it promotes a
more equitable society
- It allows for a more educated society as the poor people who originally could not afford to
send their children to school could now do so
- The rich feel a sense of responsibility towards the poor and hence promotes the rich
spending more in charity, other than zakat too
- It brings the ummah together and reminds us that we are part of one ummah