The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 17
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 17 The Holy Quran has mentioned the Prayer and the Zak ā t separately also and this has been done again and again. Sometimes it is mentioned with the ‘Faith in Allah’, sometimes it is mentioned with the ‘Last Day’, and sometimes it is mentioned entirely on its own account and its importance emphasized. The Lord God says: ‘But My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it for those who act righteously, and pay the Zak ā t and those who believe in Our Signs. ’ ( 7:157 ) And again He says: ‘…but whatever you give in Zakat seeking the favor of Allah – it is these who will increase their wealth manifold. ’ ( 30:40 ) The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in his exhortations, very often stressed highly the importance of Zak ā t after explaining to the Muslims about observing Prayers. And whenever someone asked him regarding the do’s and do - nots in Islam, he w ould, after telling about the importance of Prayers, dwell at length and explain the importance of paying the Zak ā t. Abu Ayub has reported in the Traditions that once a man came and asked the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, kindly to point out to him an act which would take him straight to paradise, even though it involved all his wealth. The Holy Prophet said: ‘The most glorious thing for you would be to worship