The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 15
15 The I mportance of Zak ā t in Islam Islam has laid a great stress on the importance of Zak ā t and has included it in the basic principles. While discoursing about the basic principles of Islam, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said : ‘Islam has been founded on five pillars - to be a witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and saying the Prayers (in congregation); and paying the Zak ā t; and the Hajj; and fasting in its month. ’ (Bukhari: Vol. I; the Book of Faith) Addressing the Muslims on the occasion of his last Hajj, the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, said: ‘Fear God and observe your five prayers and you must fast in the month of Ramadhan and pay the Zak ā t from your wealth and obey when you are commanded and your God shall grant you admission in paradise. ’ (Tirmidhi) We can also judge the importance of Zak ā t from the fact that Zak ā t has been bracketed with the Prayers in the Holy Quran which proves that the payment of Zak ā t is equally as important as the Prayer and these two are classed as blessings of Allah Who says i n the Holy Quran: