The Spiritual dimension of Zakat

We all know that Ramadan isn’t just about fasting. Or that fasting isn’t just about going without food and water in the daytime. Ramadan is about cleansing through giving. About shearing away the excess. About abstaining, even from the things that are halal for us, to make room for reflection.

“Charity extinguishes bad deeds just as water extinguishes fire. Prayer is the light of the believer and fasting is a shield against fire.” (Ibn-Majah)

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, situated after prayer and before fasting. Its meaning stems from the word ‘to purify.’ It is a way for us to cleanse our wealth and purify ourselves spiritually from sins as well as bad deeds and habits. In this way, Zakat is also protection from the punishment and difficulties we will face in the next life.

"The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.” (Tirmidhi)

We know that Zakat brings success on a social level, through the fair distribution of surplus wealth. But Zakat can also bring success on a personal level. By purifying ourselves with Zakat we don’t just rid ourselves of sins. We also rid ourselves of greed and attachment to worldly things. In our effort to tackle these base, human qualities head-on, we gain the support of Allah (SWT).

“Successful indeed are those who purify themselves.” (The Holy Qur’an 87:14)

When we give Zakat from the wealth we love, we restore our trust in the reality that Allah (SWT) alone is our provider. It is He who sustains us, not our wealth or earnings. In putting our trust only in Allah (SWT) in this way, we attain success in this life and the hereafter through the simple fact that Allah (SWT) does not abandon those who rely on Him. He is the master of the universe and the best of providers.

'Allah (SWT) says: “I am to my slave as he thinks of Me, [i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him].”' (Bukhari)

Demonstrating faith through giving Zakat, enables us to gain the Barakah Allah (SWT) promises us. With His Barakah, the good we’ve been provided -like our wealth and health- are increased.

“Take from their wealth O’ Prophet charity to purify and increase them; and pray for them — surely your prayer is a source of comfort for them. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (The Holy Qur’an 9:103)

Barakah is a ‘blessing power’ from Allah (SWT), which brings prosperity to our lives in unseen ways. Reaffirming our belief in Barakah can ward off anxious thoughts, even as we face economic uncertainty and challenging times.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Charity does not, in any way, decrease the wealth […].” (Muslim)

Thank you for entrusting us with your Zakat for over 29 years. To easily work out how much Zakat to pay this Ramadan, use our Zakat Calculator by clicking below. You can also download our free Zakat Guide to find out the Nisab value and get answers to your frequently asked questions about Zakat.