The literal meaning of Zakat is ‘to cleanse.’
It is one of the pillars of Islam and a form of charity.
The Holy Quran has mentioned Zakat more than eighty times. So you can see how important is for us to give zakat on time every year.
Allah (SWT) and His Prophet Muhammad (SAW) laid great importance on paying Zakat.
Zakat is obligatory for every Muslim who owns a certain amount of wealth.
The recipient of Zakat must be poor—someone whose basic requirements of life cannot be fulfilled by him efficiently.
But it would help if you remembered that the recipient must not be from your immediate family, i.e., your spouse, children, grandparents, or parents. They are not eligible to receive Zakat from you.
There are uncountable benefits of Zakat, individually and for society.
It builds a community and helps bridge the gap between the needy and wealthy people.
Quran says:
“And establish salah and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.” Quran [2:110]
In this article, we’ve shared the benefits of zakat in detail.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Zakat on a society
When rich people pay Zakat regularly, it positively changes society overall.
Zakat empowers the communities and helps the poor people individually too.
So for a solid and stable community, rich people need to pay Zakat so that it may be distributed among the poor.
The Holy Quran Says:
“This (Wealth) may not circulate solely among the rich from among you.” Quran [59:7]
Although there are many benefits of zakat on a society, let’s discuss some of these.
1. Justice and social harmony
Zakat brings harmony to society and increases justice.
Wealth gets distributed evenly among all the people of a community.
Wealth does not accumulate in a few hands.
2. Social security
Zakat is social security for all the people of a society.
Those who are wealthy today will pay Zakat.
If they become the needy tomorrow, the rich will give them Zakat.
3. Brotherhood
Zakat works as a bridge between the poor and the rich.
It maintains a sense of brotherhood.
The Quran says:
“But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due (Zakat), then they are your brethren in religion.”
4. Self-respect
The self-respect of the people who receive Zakat does not get affected because they don’t need to ask for help.
The one who gives Zakat is not doing any favor because it is their duty assigned by Allah Almighty. If they do not fulfill their responsibility, they will have to face the wrath of Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgment.
Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“No owner of the treasure who does not pay Zakat ( would be spared) but (his hoards) would be heated in the fire of Hell, and these would be made into plates, and with these, his sides and his forehead would be cauterized till Allah would pronounce judgment.”
Quran says:
“O you who believe! Render not vain your alms giving by reproach and injury.” Quran [2:264]
5. Equal distribution of wealth
Zakat helps in the equal distribution of wealth.
Zakat money is taken from the rich and distributed in the poor community. This way, the wealth keeps on circulating.
It also helps in decreasing the rate of poverty.
If people start giving Zakat regularly, poverty may vanish one day.
6. No hoarding
Zakat is not paid for the items a person uses or his income.
It is paid on the wealth that a person saves or hoards.
So, Zakat encourages a person to spend his wealth or invest it in any useful way.
This will ensure that society is prospering and the wealth is circulating well.
And individually, this will also not decrease the wealth of the man who pays Zakat.
The Holy Quran says:
“That which you give in Zakat, seeking Allah’s countenance, has increase manifold.” Quran [30:39]
7. Society will prosper
The wealth is distributed equally among the people and keeps circulating in society because of Zakat.
This way, the community will prosper more.
The unemployment rate decreases, and the chances of economic recession also decrease.
8. Peace in society
The crime rate also decreases when wealth is distributed justly among people.
If there is more poverty, the crime rate gets high.
So Zakat ensures that peace is maintained in society.
9. Reduction in beggary
Islam prohibits the poor from stretching their hands in front of anyone.
The Zakat system was introduced by Islam so that the needy people would get their needs fulfilled by the zakat money.
In this way, there will be no need for anyone to become a beggar.
The holy Prophet said:
“Whoever begs from people so as to accumulate more riches, he is asking for a live coal (fire) from Hell, so let him ask for a lot or little.”
10. Generosity
Rich people who spend generously on the poor will positively impact society.
Giving zakat makes people generous which in return helps them to live a better and stress-free life.
Benefits of Zakat According to the Quran and Ahadith
According to the Quran and ahadith, establishing the zakat system in society has many benefits.
Let’s discuss some of these.
1. Brotherhood
The system of Zakat strengthens the bond of brotherhood between people.
It increases love and affection between people.
Quran says:
“But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and give their Zakat, they are your brethren in Faith.” Quran [9:11]
2. Allah (SWT)’s mercy
Allah (SWT) says:
“The Believers, men, and women are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay their Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” Quran [9:71]
Allah (SWT) mercies those who are obedient to Him by fulfilling their duty of paying Zakat.
3. Wipes away sins
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Giving charity wipes away sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
4. Reward in the hereafter
In the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
“And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.” Quran [2:110]
5. Make you reach the rank of a perfect believer
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
6. Cause of entering paradise
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Those who use soft speech, spread the greeting of Islam, feed people, and spend the night in voluntary prayer while the people are asleep.”
7. Shade on the day of judgment
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Every man will be in the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection.”
8. Purifies and increases wealth
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Wealth does not decrease because of charity.”
9. Extinguishes the wrath of Allah
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Charity given in secret extinguishes the wrath of The Lord.”
10. Protection from calamities
The Prophet (saw) said:
“It wrestles with a calamity that comes down from the heavens and prevents it from reaching the earth.”
11. Obtaining Allah’s help
Quran says:
“Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will). (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give their Zakat, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the outcome of all affairs.”
12. Reward from Allah (SWT)
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever gives away charity the size of a date, which is earned lawfully, since Allah only accepts the good lawful things, Allah will indeed take it with His right Hand and cause it to grow for its owner, just as one of you raises up his colt, to the point that the charity will become like the size of a mountain.”
Benefits of Zakat in Ramadan
Zakat should be paid once a year.
Many people prefer to pay Zakat during Ramadan because of the higher spiritual rewards. But it’s up to you; you can give Zakat any time of the year.
Let us see some of the benefits of giving Zakat during Ramadan:
1. Allah rewards every deed multiple times in Ramadan. So we can say that Ramadan is the best month for paying Zakat.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said:
“Ramadan is an Honorable and blessed month, and the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it.”
2. It is easier to pay Zakat in the month of Ramadan for the people who love their wealth because Satan gets locked up by Allah (SWT).
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”
Benefits of Zakat to the receiver
Zakat has unlimited benefits for its receiver as well as the giver.
Here is the list of all the benefits of Zakat that the receiver enjoys:
- Receiving Zakat helps the person avoid crimes such as robbery and theft.
- Zakat helps poverty to stay away from men.
- People who receive Zakat will not need to adopt a profession like beggary.
- The self-esteem of the person who receives Zakat remains unaffected.
- A sense of brotherhood is developed for the rich people in the heart of the zakat receiver.
- Zakat prevents civil unrest and discomfort for the people.
- Zakat ensures financial security for the receiver.
- The personality of the zakat receiver always remains dignified. There is no harm in receiving Zakat.
- Receiving Zakat is way better than stretching hands in front of someone.
- The same as the giver is blessed; the receiver of Zakat is also a blessed person in the sight of Allah (SWT).
- Even if the identity of the zakat receiver does not remain hidden, there is no shame in receiving Zakat.
Benefits of Zakat ul Fitr
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Every day, two angels come down from Heaven, and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.”
Zakat ul Fitr is given at the end of Ramadan by all Muslims. It is given to needy people to celebrate their Eid dignifiedly.
It has many benefits for the receiver and the one who gives.
Let’s see some of the benefits of zakat ul Fitr:
- It helps the poor people who may not be able to celebrate their Eid.
- It allows the rich people to purify their souls.
- The errors of the person who gives Zakat ul Fitr are eliminated, which he may have done during his Ramadan prayers.
- There is a massive reward for the one who gives Zakat ul Fitr.
- Zakat ul Fitr is a token of thankfulness towards Allah (SWT).
- Paying zakat ul Fitr will help us realize how blessed we are.
- A sense of sympathy is developed towards the needy in the heart of the one who gives Zakat ul Fitr.
- The rich will be able to know about the problems of the poor and will be able to help them accordingly.
- Paying zakat ul Fitr is one of the best ways to gain Allah (SWT)’s pleasure.
- It is like a bridge between the poor and the rich to celebrate Eid together.
- Paying zakat ul Fitr will give you inner peace and make your heart content.
Benefits of Zakat for individual
Prophet (SAW) said:
“Giving charity wipes away sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
Zakat has many benefits for society overall as well as for individuals.
Here are some of the benefits of Zakat for individuals:
- The person who gives Zakat becomes more generous.
- The one who gives Zakat follows the faith with sincerity.
- Purification of heart and soul is promised to the one who gives Zakat.
- The person becomes an obedient and responsible citizen.
- Financial aid is provided to the one who receives Zakat which makes him financially stable.
- Love for others is developed in the heart of those who receive and give Zakat.
- The person who gives Zakat gets rid of selfishness and miserliness.
- Love of wealth gets decreased in the heart of those who give Zakat.
Moral benefits of Zakat
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Smiling in the face of your brother is charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil is charity, guiding a lost man in a foreign land is charity, guiding the blind is charity, and removing harmful things, thorns, and bones from a road are regarded as charity and pouring what is left from your vessel into that of your brother is charity.”
There’s a close relationship between moral values and Zakat in Islam.
Here are some of the moral benefits of Zakat:
- Zakat helps spread an environment of love and affection among the Muslim community.
- Zakat helps poor people which helps them stay away from sinful acts.
- Zakat makes a society crime free.
- No individual will ever stretch his hands in front of anyone if Zakat is paid by the rich every year.
- The payer of Zakat feels pleasure and satisfaction in his heart.
- A sense of brotherhood is established among Muslims.
- The soul of the person is spiritually elevated.
- The heart of the one who gives Zakat, and the one who receives it, is purified.
- The sense of helping others is developed among wealthy people.
Social benefits of Zakat
Now let’s discuss some social benefits of zakat.
Zakat provides social security for all people.
The wealth does not only circulate among the rich, so social harmony is established.
Social justice is made sure by reaching out to poor people.
Holy Quran says:
“Those who; if we give them power in the land, establish worship and pay the poor-due (Zakat) and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity.”
A sense of brotherhood is developed among all the people of a society.
The Quran says:
“But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due (Zakat), then they are your brethren in religion.”
All the people live with peace and prosperity in a social system.
Beggary is strictly discouraged in Islam, so Zakat helps remove beggars from the social system.
Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever begs from people to accumulate more riches, he is asking for a live coal (fire) from Hell, so let him ask for a lot of little.”
Last but not least, zakat helps establish a check system against hoarding.
Economic benefits of Zakat
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is the giving hand, and the lower hand is the begging hand.”
With all the other benefits of Zakat, it also has a very positive impact on the economy of a society.
Some of the economic benefits of zakat are listed below:
- Zakat helps in the proper circulation of wealth within a society.
- It benefits the needy and poor in the long run.
- It encourages better productivity and the consumption of resources.
- Zakat helps in lowering the rate of unemployment.
- The poverty rate decreases.
- Beggars are discouraged.
- The economy flourishes because of high productivity.
- Income is redistributed.
- Economy stabilizes.
Spiritual benefits of Zakat
The Qur’an states:
“Worship none but God; be virtuous toward parents, kinsfolk, orphans, and the indigent; speak to people in a goodly way, and perform the prayer and give the alms.” Quran [2:83]
Spiritual benefits that zakat offers are:
- Zakat makes the souls of the giver content.
- The wealth of the person gets purified when he pays Zakat.
- A sense of inner peace is developed when the person pays Zakat for the sake of Allah (SWT) only.
- The person who receives Zakat, his heart gets rid of all the hatred for rich people.
- Allah showers His blessings, forgiveness, and pleasure on the person who purifies his soul by giving Zakat.
- Zakat helps build a sense of brotherhood among Muslims.
- The hearts get purified of the people who pay Zakat and the one who receives it.
- Zakat detaches the heart of the person from worldly things.