The Five Pillars of Islam are the 5 foundations Islam rests upon. If part of the foundation is abandoned, the building is in danger of collapsing.

Offering zakaat versus the quest for more wealth…

The literal meaning of zakaat in the Arabic language is purification, and so paying the zakaat is a way of purifying your wealth in the sight of Allah. It is also a strong way of purifying yourself from some sin, since wealth is often tied to worth, the sacrifice does not go unappreciated by Allah. It is obligatory once a year. It may range from 2.5 to 5% depending upon the type of wealth (money, objects for sale/rent, grazing livestock, crops, jewelry, etc.). For money, it is only obligatory if one is not in greater debt, and if an entire year has passed and one’s wealth has been above the nisaab the entire time. The nisaab, a limit, is approximately $1500 but may increase from year to year based on inflation. There are other rules for zakat, so if any readers suspect they qualify, they should ask their local imam. In Islam, it is praiseworthy for a person to work to sustain themselves, support their family, support Islamic causes, give to the needy, and even have money in reserve that one’s inheritors may benefit from if they cannot use it themselves. What is assuredly sinful is getting money in any way which Allah forbade or spending money in a forbidden manner or refusing to pay zakat over our wealth, or refusing to give aid to the needy (especially needy relatives) if your wealth is way beyond a typical person’s needs. Also blameworthy to a lesser degree is spending one’s wealth extravagantly or wastefully.

So if a person has millions of dollars which they earned in a permissible manner (work, inheritance, etc.), pay the annual zakat, and they assist any needy relatives and dependents, then they are free of blame as long as they don’t spend their money on what is forbidden for them. Hence, it is not sinful to be wealthy in Islam nor is it frowned upon. However, it is generally noticed that the more a person has and gains of possession, the more watchful and protective they become of it and the greedier they are to acquire more, and fearful of seeing it decrease. Hence, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “There is no blame on being rich for the one who keeps their duty to Allah, but good health is better than riches, and peace of mind is also a blessing.”^[1]Recorded by Ahmad 2/676 no. 5290; may also see in ibn Maajah with an authentic chain. Another Muslim scholar said that wealth to a Muslim should be like a rug or a toilet—a necessity, and means towards greater good, yet it holds no status in the heart. And the more a Muslim assists the needy, whether local or distant, the greater their standing is with Allah, and fewer their sins. The best charity sadaqah is what is given when someone fears poverty and expects greater wealth–they are about to cross a barrier of feeling financially independent, and sacrifice at such a time is indeed great. And wealth never decreases from charity, since if it is given sincerely, Allah will bless its cause and replace the “loss” with the owner in addition to rewarding them in the Hereafter.

Believe it or not, according to Forbes, the richest man who ever lived was a conservative and learned Muslim. He was Mansa Musa (d. ca. 1337) former leader of Timbuktu with an estimated wealth of 450 BILLION dollars.

Always remember this golden Islamic principle: more for Allah means more for yourself. In practice, when you spend money in the path of Allah to obey Him and seek His Pleasure over you, He will replace it in this life with the like of it or greater. This is something Muslims learn well from personal experience and works miraculously. Whenever you spend in the cause of Allah, Allah replaces that wealth from where you least expected it. This has worked for me so well that if I realize I need money, I donate a portion of what little I have, and soon enough I get an unexpected gift right afterward. The same principle works with time. If you spend more time on praying, reciting Quran, and worship, you will find that Allah increases the blessings for you in your remaining time, so you live a more productive life.

Zakat is one of those deeds that causes different parts of the Muslim community to come together and respect, empathize and appreciate one another. But perhaps an even greater act symbolizing that unity is the fast of Ramadan. Read on to learn about it…