Wordly and spiritual benefits of giving Zakaat

The one who gives Zakaat is purified and cleaned.  The heart of that person is rendered free of the love of material wealth.  By giving Zakaat, body, soul, faith, all are rendered pure and refreshed.

 

As given in this Hadith of Mustadarak ‘Alas Sahihain:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him) that one person requested the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  I have much wealth and also have a family.  In what way should I spend?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Give Zakaat, it is purifying.  It will purify you.  Treat your relatives nicely.  Realize the rights of those who ask, of neighbors, of needy folk and the travelers.

 

That person said:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  Please make some concession for me!

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Give the rights due to relatives, give the rights due to the needy folk and travelers and don’t be extravagant.

 

That person said:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  If I give the Zakaat to the representative of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), then have I given Zakaat as per the orders of Allah and His Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Yes.  If you give the Zakaat to the representative, then indeed you have given the Zakaat and there is reward for you for it and whoever changes it, the sin of doing so is on that person.  (Mustadarak ‘Alas Sahihain, Hadith No. 3331)

 

Charity calms the wrath of Allah

 

People commit various transgressions due to which Allah Ta’ala is displeased.  The best means to save ourselves from His displeasure and to gain His approval is “Sadqa” (charity).  With the blessings of charity, the wrath of Allah Ta’ala is calmed.  Also, a huge benefit of charity in this world is that the person who gives charity is saved from a faithless death.

 

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas Bin Malik, he says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Verily charity calms the wrath of Allah and saves from a faithless death (dying without Iman)  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 666)

 

Charity – A shade for the believer in Qiyamah

 

In Qiyamah, the sun will come down to just above our heads.  There will be no limit to its heat.  People will be worried because of it.  In such a time, charity will be a shade for the believers.  The Zakaat and other forms of charity that they gave in the world will be a means of relief and solace in Qiyamah, as given in this Hadith:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Marthad bin Abdullah Yazni, he says:  A companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told me that he heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say:  Verily, the charity of a believer will be a shade of mercy for him (or her) in Qiyamah.  (Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal, Hadith No. 18530)

 

Zakaat and other charity – A means of deliverance from hell

 

In Qiyamah, when there will be nothing between the Lord and the slave and the slave will face hell, there will be hellfire al around and the slave will be searching for means of deliverance, in such a time what will save him/her from punishment?

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said that in such a time Zakaat and other forms of charity will be means of safety.  As given in this Hadith of Sunan Ibn Majah:

 

Translation:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Adi Bin Hatim (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  There is none among you who will not talk to the Lord Almighty.  There will be none between him (or her) and the Lord.  When he looks in front, fire will be coming towards him.  When he looks to the right side, he will see what he has done (in life) and when he looks to his left side, he will see what he has done.  Thus, any one of you who can save themselves from fire (of hell), be it through a date only, should do so.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1916)