The Virtue in Giving the Alms (Zakat)

Dated: 30 November 2006

Expending in Allah’s (swt) Way and Giving the Sadaqa

Our Prophet (saas) was the one who expended the most from what Allah (swt) gave to him. If anyone wanted anything from the Messenger (saas), he would certainly give, whether it was much or whether it was little; he always gave whatever he could. The pleasure he took from giving was more than the happiness of the person who received. Our Prophet (saas) specified four types of possessions from which to give alms (zakat):

1) Agricultural products and fruits,

2) Animals (camel, cattle),

3) Gold and silver,

4) All sorts of commercial goods.

You who believe! Give away some of what We have provided for you before a Day arrives on which there is no trading, no close friendship and no intercession... (Surat Al-Baqara, 254)

Cooperation had a great place in our Prophet’s (saas) life. He informs us that the best of all aids given are the ones given in secret. Our Prophet (saas) says:

"Seven are (the persons) whom Allah would give protection with His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but that of Him (i. e. on the Day of Judgment, and they are): … a person who gives charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the right hand does not know what the left has given: and a person who remembered Allah in privacy and his eyes shed tears." (Sahih Muslim, Book 005, Number 2248)

Satan inspires fear for future in people so as to hinder them from giving away from that which Allah (swt) has blessed them with. This way, he drifts them into stinginess. Our Prophet (saas) says that this is a great danger for believers.

"Spend and do not calculate, (for) Allah would calculate in your case; and do not hoard, otherwise Allah would be withholding from you." (Sahih Muslim, Book 005, Number 2244)

"He who gives time to one who is financially hard up (in the payment of debt) or writes off his debt, Allah will provide him His shadow." (Sahih Muslim, Book 042, Number 7149)

"If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him, when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, his forehead and his back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among servants." (Sahih Muslim, Book 005, Number 2161)