Zakat as translated from Arabic means growth, multiplicity, fertility, cleansing, full of baraqah.
It is the third pillar of Islam and is an ibadah in terms of wealth.
Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim who owns wealth and has fulfilled the necessary conditions.
The command of Zakat in the Qur’an is mentioned about 30 times and is often associated with the prayer.
“(The superstructure of) Islam is raised on five (pillars): to utter an attestation of faith, performance of prayer, payment of zakat, fast of Ramadan and pilgrimage (to Makkah).” [Narrated by Ibnu Umar ra]
(For the malay version, please refer to today’s Berita Harian, 16 Aug 2010)
