Page 145 - The Importance of the Ahl Al-Sunnah

ADNAN OKTAR

This system of social solidarity, which brings with it peace
and mutual aid, reduces the people’s excessive passion for
money and prevents feuding over wealth by reinforcing mutu-
al love and respect. Thus, it plays an important role in estab-
lishing social peace and security.
Paying zakat gains one the good pleasure of Allah (swt), pre-
vents goods from becoming the individual’s main objective
rather than just a means, develops excellent feelings (e.g.,
thinking about others, compassion, and benevolence), and
imparts social peace.
Omer Nasuhi Bilmen writes:
“The linguistic meaning of zakat implies ‘cleanliness,
abundance, multiplication, and fine praise,’ whereas its
religious significance is ‘giving a specific amount of goods,
at a specific time, to those Muslims who have a right to it
for the sake of Allah.’
Zakat demonstrates the servants’ devotion to their role as
servants. This is why it is also referred to as sadaqah.
Sadaqah, however, is wider-ranging than zakat, for it con-
tains both obligatory and non-obligatory connotations.
Paying zakat is known as tazkiyah, and the giver of zakat
as muzakki. The praise uttered regarding witnesses is also
known as tazkiyah.
Paying zakat is compulsory (fard). It was made compulsory
before fasting, during the second year of our Prophet’s
(saas) hijrah. It is one of Islam’s core pillars. Zakat, in the
form of a specific amount of cash and commercial goods,
must be paid once a full year has passed and without delay,
for these are the right of the poor. Any delaying in paying
this right without a valid reason is unacceptable…
It is more virtuous to pay zakat openly, for this sets an

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