Zakah in Arabic means growth, blessing, and purification. In the terminology of the Qur’an and Sunnah, zakah is that portion of wealth which has been made obligatory upon a person to spend in the path of Allah Ta‘ala.

Zakah is also one of the five pillars of Islam. Whoever rejects its status as being fardh is not a Muslim. If one accepts it to be fardh but does not pay his zakah, he is a grave sinner and a fasiq. Zakah is the one pillar that is both an act of obedience to Allah and a means of benefiting mankind.

Regarding zakah, Imam al-Kasani (Rahimahullah) states: “Zakah strengthens the weak, empowers the incapable, and uplifts them to establish Tawhid and perform the worship ordained by Allah Ta‘ala.” (Bada’i al-Sana’i)

There are many benefits and wisdoms behind the concept of zakah. Neglecting this command violates the rights of the poor and also contributes to economic inequality within the community.

The punishment for neglecting this duty is severe. One of the punishments was mentioned by Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), who said: “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the zakah of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over its eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks, and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure’.
(Bukhari)

That is why understanding the regulations of zakah and ensuring its prompt payment is so important.