Zakat is a worship with common sense. Hence, especially in this time of rapidly growing selfishness, individualization, and secularization, zakat will remind people that they have brothers and sisters remembering them and they are not forgotten. If a Muslim is indifferent towards the need of his fellow, this can only be called a misery in Islamic perspective. Prophet Muhammed says “Mercy is only deprived by those who are damned.” Tirmizi, Birr 16
Zakat is an act of aid that destroys the poverty icon in the eyes of wealthy.
Zakat purifies the poverty and increases its abundance.
Zakat prevents circulation of money only between the rich and generates a balance in society.
Zakat keep man from worshiping money, breaks the chains of lusts, protects hearts from ruthlessness. It is a sign of gratitude towards Allah. It gives an opportunity to exchange worldly poverty to wealth in the hereafter. Can there be a better and profitable investment than that? The one who gives zakat escapes from the bondage of money and poverty. Zakat, in fact, increases the goods of giver and develops his/her personality.
Zakat encourages the poor to work harder, increases his/her regard in society and erases feeling of envy.
From another perspective, zakat plays like an insurance for social security. It tries to generate a middle class in society. It is a method that prevents money stocking in one side only.
With all aspects, zakat unifies society with needy and wealthy and purifies the human, soul and poverty. As a worship that brings people together and carries the person closer to Allah, it has a great importance and function.
Islam is a religion of purification. Purification of others and us. Let us start then…