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The word Zakat has been derived from Zaka, which means purity or to grow. It is so called because the giving away of wealth to the poor and needy increases the wealth of the community as a whole and at the same time it purifies the giver's heart from the inordinate love for wealth which brings numerous sins in its trail. It acts as a means of developing the high sentiments of love and sympathy towards his fellowmen.
The payment of Zakat is a religious duty. The individual is not at liberty to calculate and spend his Zakat as he likes. It must be calculated by the state or community on national or collective basis and spent by the state or the community. It is collected only from the Muslims who have attained the age of maturity and are in full possession of their faculties.
During the days of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SM), Zakat was a state institution. In this charity he has not only left his ideal teachings for the guidance of posterity but has also defined the duties of the rich towards the poor.
Honesty in monetary dealings
Uprightness and honesty in monetary dealings forms a vital part of the fundamental teachings of Islam.
The Holy Quran as well as the traditions of the Holy Prophet are emphatic than a Muslim is he
1) who is honest and upright in his business and other monetary transactions,
2) keeps his word and fulfills his promises,
3) Shuns fraud and avoids deceit,
4) does not encroach upon the rights of others and abstains from wrongful litigation,
5) does not give false evidence,
6) abstain from making dishonest money, as from usury and graft.
The Holy Quran says: "O ye who believe! Eat not up each others property by unfair and dishonest means." (4-29)
Money and property which is acquired through unfair means is positively unclean and unlawful and anyone who makes use of it and spends it on his needs does himself great harm.
Islam has proclaimed great virtue in seeking ones livelihood honestly and in engaging oneself clean in any trade or profession.
The first divine instruction - "Read"
The Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SM) over a period of 23 years beginning with his Prophethood. The first revelation received by him consisted of the following verses of Sura Iqra (Chapter 96)
"Read in the name of your Lord who created man from the a clot.
Read ; and it is your Lord the Most Beautiful who taught by the Pen -
Taught man that which he knew not."
The Holy Quran occupies the first place of authority in Islam, and gives the criteria to judge right and wrong and distinguish between Truth and falsehood. It is a book of Mercy, Wisdom and Guidance to Humanity. The Holy Quran & the Hadith, saying of the Holy Prophet (SM), are recognized as most important authority, which constitute and regulate the legal system and personal code of conduct governing the entire life of a Muslim.
The injunctions of the Holy Quran embrace a large number of subjects and topic covering every important aspect of human activity, which may be classified under two broad categories :-
a. Duties and obligation towards The Creator,
b. Duties and obligations towards fellow human beings.
In actual practice, however, the two categories are intertwined. The emphasis of Islam is on rendering service to Allah through service to Humanity.
The Holy Quran lays down norms of social and commercial dealings and stipulates a noble code of conduct for believers to serve, both in times of war and peace. The Quran is emphatic that Islam is not mere belief in Allah, in His Prophets, Books, Angel and the last Day but also translating this belief into practice and in performing noble deeds.
The objective of pasting
The purpose and objective of fasting is to prepare Muslims to attain Taqwa. Allah Says, in the Holy Quran, "O Believers ! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn Taqwa (piety) (Sura Baqarah - 183)
Taqwa literally means saving oneself from harm, which means some actions and beliefs are harmful and right and wrong do exist. There are realities and values beyond matter and beyond this world, on which man needs to be guided as to what is right and what is wrong.
Every moment in Ramadan integrates these lessons in daily life. The most elementary physical needs are readily and joyfully sacrificed. The measure of comfort and pain, success and failure is radically changed.
Fasting is a definite and determined expression of will whereby man is attached to Allah through complete obedience and wilful submission. It serves too as an instrument for rising above all the needs of the body - out of preference for Allahs pleasure and good rewards.
All these factors are necessary for training and preparing of souls to bear the hardships of life. This is one of the aims of this obligation that the believers should realize the value of the guidance Allah has made available to them and thank Him for His Grace.
The objective of training and of preparing the Muslims is to safeguard themselves and to live a life with sensitive conscience.
Maintaining the spirit of Ramadan
Muslims who observe fasts during Ramadan should be grateful to Allah for having given them one more opportunity to seek His blessings and enjoy His bounties during this month.
Throughout this holy month, masjids are full and the doors of charity open as more and more Muslims offer their regular and tarabeeh prayers, recite the Holy Quran and pay Zakat and other charities. They do all this because Allah gives manifold rewards for every such act during Ramadan.
Ramadan is in fact, a month of spiritual training and self-restraint, which should be based on realism. Muslims should pledge this spiritual change to guide their entire life. Because it is only they, who by having given up even such lawful things as eating & drinking during Ramadan at the command of Allah, can be expected to restrain from all unlawful things during the rest of the year as well.
It is nothing but faith in Allah and fear of Him and the Day of Judgment, that makes them voluntarily undergo this apparent hardship. This faith is so over whelming that each and every moment a Muslim suppresses his passions and desires, he proclaims by doing so, the supremacy of Allah.
This consciousness of duty and spirit of patience that the month long fasting inculcates in Muslims should help them strengthen their faith in Allah, bring them face to face with the realities of life and help them make the rest of their life truly subservient to Allah's will.
Once the Holy month of Ramadan is over, it would be unfair on our part to forget this code. It is only we who can be expected to stick to the teachings of the Holy Quran even after Ramadan and also spread its message to the entire humanity for which it has been sent down.
Taqwa, root of all wisdom
Taqwa, which means persistent fear of God for self-righteousness, epitomizes the entire teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammad (SM). Every aspect of the teaching is directed towards the creation of this spiritual condition of fearing God in every action of the believer, which is the ultimate result of all forms of worship.
In Sura - Al Imran, Taqwa is bracketed with steadfastness and patience. In Sura Baqarah, it is linked with making peace among mankind. Even in conducting war, when values are generally overlooked, Muslims have to abide by the dictates of Taqwa. This condition transforms both the thinking and actions of man.
To be continued
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