Have you ever wondered about the reasons why zakat is important for Muslims? Zakat must be paid obligatory by Muslims at least once a year as they believed it can purify both their body and soul.
Most Muslims are aware of the importance of Zakat, which would give the best benefits for them as well different from some benefits of Sadaqah in Ramadhan. They know for so long about the reasons why zakat is important for them more than anything.
Most Muslims are even aware that there are some types of zakat in Islam they should pay year by year. It is a part of a good deed for Muslims should’ve done since they already know the reasons why zakat is important to them.
If you are wondering what kind of reasons why zakat is important for Muslims, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!
1. Increasing the Faith
One of the reasons why zakat is important is because Muslims believe it can increase their faith in Allah. Most Muslims believe for so many years that they took a reference based on the Quran.
Since zakat is an obligatory deed Muslims should pay, it would make them feel closer to Allah as well after they’ve done it. Moreover, they already know that paying zakat is a part of one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is also mentioned in the Quran surah Al Araf verse 156 below.
وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِيْ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِى الْاٰخِرَةِ اِنَّا هُدْنَآ اِلَيْكَۗ قَالَ عَذَابِيْٓ اُصِيْبُ بِهٖ مَنْ اَشَاۤءُۚ وَرَحْمَتِيْ وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍۗ فَسَاَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِيْنَ يَتَّقُوْنَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوةَ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُمْ بِاٰيٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَۚ ١٥٦
“Establish for us good in this world and in the hereafter. Indeed, we return (repent) to You. (Allah) said, “My torment I will inflict on whom I will and My mercy covers all things. I will establish My mercy for those who are pious and pay zakat and for those who believe in Our signs.” (QS 7:156)
2. Helping Each Other
Applying to do good deeds, such as helping each other among Muslims is one of the reasons why zakat is important. At any rate, Muslims know better that zakat is for the needy and the poor so that they can live the same way as others as one of the reasons why they should strengthen Silaturahim in Islam.
Muslims believe by doing good deeds by zakat is one of the ways they can do small deeds with big rewards in Islam. That is why Muslims do it every year as long as they are alive on earth.
It is mentioned in the Quran surah At Taubah verse 60 below.
۞ اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَاۤءِ وَالْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَالْعٰمِلِيْنَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَفِى الرِّقَابِ وَالْغٰرِمِيْنَ وَفِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيْلِۗ فَرِيْضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ۗوَاللّٰهُ عَلِيْمٌ حَكِيْمٌ ٦٠
“Indeed, zakat is only for the needy, the poor, the zakat collectors, those who are softened in their hearts (converts), to (liberate) slaves, (liberate) those who are in debt, for the way of Allah. And for those who are on their way (who need help), as an obligation from Allah. Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (QS 9:60)
3. Saved by Allah
Most Muslims believe that they will be saved by Allah as they paid zakat. It becomes one of the reasons why zakat is important for Muslims. As it is mentioned in the Quran surah Maryam verses 31-32.
Muslims believe that verse represents everyone that paid their zakat will be saved by Allah, which He mentions wouldn’t make Muslims go into trouble in so many ways such as avoid from perceived ways of greed in Islam.
وَّجَعَلَنِيْ مُبٰرَكًا اَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُۖ وَاَوْصٰنِيْ بِالصَّلٰوةِ وَالزَّكٰوةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا ۖ ٣١ وَّبَرًّاۢ بِوَالِدَتِيْ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِيْ جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا ٣٢
“He made me a blessed person wherever I was and ordered me (to perform) prayer and (payment) zakat throughout my life, and was devoted to my mother and He did not make me arrogant or wretched.” (QS 19: 31-32)
4. Granted by Allah
As Muslims, if they are granted by Allah in everything will become such lucky people in the world. As it is written in the Quran surah Al Mu’minun verses 1-4, which describes how lucky Muslims that paid their zakat.
Based on the surah Al Mu’minun, Muslims take action in so many ways to always consistently pay their zakat as an obligatory deed for them. Most of them believe that they will be having a lucky life both in this world and the hereafter.
قَدْ اَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ ۙ ١ الَّذِيْنَ هُمْ فِيْ صَلَاتِهِمْ خٰشِعُوْنَ ٢ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُوْنَ ۙ ٣ وَالَّذِيْنَ هُمْ لِلزَّكٰوةِ فٰعِلُوْنَ ۙ ٤
“Indeed, lucky are the believers. (That is) those who are solemn in their prayers, those who leave (actions and words) that are useless, those who pay zakat,” (QS 23: 1-4)
5. Get Guidance from Allah
Living a good life as a Muslim gets guidance from Allah in everything will make a Muslim’s life easier. Whether guidance for the present life or even in the hereafter. Muslims believe that paid zakat obligatory will make them get guidance from Allah.
It is mentioned in the Quran surah An Naml verses 1-3 below.
طٰسۤ ۚ تِلْكَ اٰيٰتُ الْقُرْاٰنِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِيْنٍ ۙ ١ هُدًى وَّبُشْرٰى لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ ۙ ٢ الَّذِيْنَ يُقِيْمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوةَ وَهُمْ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوْقِنُوْنَ ٣
“Tā Sn. These are the verses of the Qur’an and the Holy Scriptures that are clear (their content), (as) guidance and good news for the believers, (i.e.) those who uphold prayer, pay zakat, and believe in the afterlife.” (QS 27:1-3)
So, there are some reasons why zakat is important for Muslims as an obligatory good deed they should pay. May you get a grant from Allah’s mercy for doing it.