Support fellow beings through zakat

Alms to the less fortunate during Ramadan helps to purify oneself as well as grow

Practising self-restraint during Ramadan cleanses the body and soul of impurities and helps re-focus one's self on worship.

Khalid Mohammad is a UAE national businessman who runs his own firm and donates to a prominent charity organisation in Sharjah. Said the generous bachelor, "Zakat is an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgement of gratitude. The receiver receives it as a grant from God out of His bounty — as a favour for which he is thankful to the Almighty. Zakat reinforces the most important principles of Islam — that all things belong to Allah and that wealth is therefore held by us humans in His trust."

He explained, "The word Zakat means both ‘purification' and ‘growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Muslims from every walk of life engage in alms giving in Ramadan so that they may share their blessings with the lesser fortunate, purifies their hearts of greed and grow spiritually. ."

Abdul Nazar works at Design Corner advertising and marketing agency as its art director. He said, "Charity is a means to give the society a civilised front. It is a responsible individual's effort to curb violence, prevent crime and exploitation. A destitute faces many hurdles to raise his family, more so if he is less educated and the family large. He may take to petty crimes for want of money, food, clothing or shelter. The path that may lie ahead for him may be one of shame and humiliation. Though it is not their nature to be so — circumstances and fate may make him helpless against odds."

He added, "Islam teaches us to give alms not just to strangers but also to those within our families who are in financial trouble. "Due to their dignity, their social condition or other issues, people may not ask for help but through word of mouth if we are informed of such a family, we can reach out to them and make a difference. I send the amount for my zakat to my mother back home. She ensures that the deserving get their dues and my duties are fulfilled effectively."

Tasneem Mukadam, the leasing co-ordinator for Al Safeer Group of companies, fully agrees. She said, "Islam teaches brotherhood. As privileged members of society it is our duty to help fellow Muslims who are suffering due to ill fate. This Ramadan many Muslims have given a considerable portion of their zakat to aid the earthquake victims in Pakistan. It is heart-breaking to see the trauma and disaster that reigns there. People have come forward to assist but more aid is needed. At a time like this every morsel of help counts.

"Zakat also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters goodwill and warm wishes for the contributors. It's one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory. I give our share of zakat in the mosque and also send some money back home so that the needy there are also supported in whatever humble way," she added.

"The Arabic word for ‘fasting' (sawm) literally means ‘to refrain' — and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but also from evil. Islam does not encourage hoarding or dead savings; zakat is the best check for this. When one gives a percentage of his savings as zakat there is a redistribution of income. The demand for supply is enhanced when more real purchasing power is put in the hands of the poor. This is what it means to say that wealth grows when you give zakat. By paying a tax on their wealth as dues to Allah, Muslims feel a certain satisfaction that helps them feel pure in their worship and closer to their Creator," explained Ziyad Ahmad, a Jordanian who works as a manager.

He added, "Zakat is a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay from what they have. If they need money tomorrow, they will get what is necessary to live decently."