ZAKAT` IMPERATIVE FOR MUSLIM`UMMAH`

BY MD. HADIUL ISLAM (FARUK) 

Now see how these  two Faraid (obligatory acts) go hand in hand in the Shari’ah of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). On opening the Holy Qur’an what are those verses which you first see?

These are:

``This Qur’an is the book of Allah where of there is no doubt. It shows the right path of life in  the world to the pious people. (pious people are)those who believe in the unseen and observe   Salah and spend of that We have bestowed upon them (in the path of Allah).``

(Al-Qur’an  2: 1-2)

It is then said:

``it is such people who have received guidance from their Lord and it is they who are (successful).``

That is to say those who have no faith and do not adhere to Salah and Zakat are neither receiving guidance nor can they achieve success.

After this, go on reading the same second Surah. After a few verses it is again commanded:

``Be steadfast in saying Salah and giving Zakat and bow your heads with those who bow say Salah in congregation``.

(Al-Qur’an 2 :43)

A little  further in the same Surah it is said:

``Righteousness is not merely that you turn your faces to the East and the West, but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the Prophets: and gives his wealth , for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphan and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and says Salah and gives Zakat; and those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the God-fearing``.

(Al-Qur’ran 2: 177)

Then see further what is said in Surah Ma’idah:

``O Muslim, You real friends and supporters are only Allah. His messenger and believers, such people who say Salah and give Zakat and bow down before God. Therefore , whoso befriends Allah, His messenger and the believers is a man of Allah’s party and Allah’s party alone is going to be victorious.``

(Al-Qur’ran 5: 55-56)

SIGN OF BELIEVERS:`SALAH` AND `ZAKAT`

A great rule has been expounded in this verse. First of all you learnt from it that the believers are only those people who say Salah and give Zakat. Those who discard these two pillars of islam are false in their claim of being believers. Then it becomes known from this verse that there is a party of Allah and His messenger and the believers, and it is the task of the believer to leave others and join this party. If a Muslim befriends a person who is outside this party, may he be his father , brother , son, neighbor, countryman or any on eels, and maintains with him relationship of affection and support, he should not expect that Allah would like to keep up relation with him as his supporter. Finally, it is also learnt from this verse that believers can gain domination only when they single-mindedly make Allah and His messenger and believers their patrons, supporters, friends, and companions.

FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIC FRATERNITY.

Now go ahead. In surah Tauba : Allah has commanded Muslims to wage war against disbelievers and polytheists, and has continuously given directions in several Ruku’s about war only. In this connection Allah says:

``Then if they repent from disbelief and polytheism, and affirm faith, and say Salah and give Zakat they are your brethren in religion.``

(Al-Qur’an  9: 11)

This means that mere repentance for disbelief and polytheism is not enough. The proof of their having really repented from disbelief and polytheism and having affirmed faith can be furnished only in this way that they regularly say Slah and pay Zakat . therefore, if by these deeds ,they provide a proof of their faith, then they are your religious brothers , otherwise , do not consider them your brothers and do not end war with them.

``and the believers, men and women, are  protecting  friends of one another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong and they say Salah and pay Zakat and obey Allah and His messenger. As  for these, Allah will have mercy on them.`` 

(Al-Qur’an 60:71)

Now you have heard that no person can at all  become  a religious brother of Muslims until after affirming faith he actually says Salah and pays Zakat. Faith, Salah and Zakat these three things put together bring into being the community of believers. Those who adhere  to these three principles are integrated with this pure community and among them alone exists the relationship of friendship, affection, companionship  and mutual support, while those who disregard these three principles are outside this maintain relations  of friendship , affection and companionship with the latter means that you have broken the Law  of Alah and disrupted the party of Allah. How then do you expect to remain dominant on the world?

Now go still further. It is said in Surah Hajj: