Sunnats and Aadaab of Discharging Zakaat – Part 2

1. Zakaat must be given happily and wholeheartedly. Do not regard zakaat to be a tax or a burden.

عن عبد الله بن معاوية الغاضري من غاضرة قيس قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: ثلاث من فعلهن فقد طعم طعم الإيمان: من عبد الله وحده وأنه لا إله إلا الله، وأعطى زكاة ماله طيبة بها نفسه، رافدة عليه كل عام، ولا يعطي الهرمة، ولا الدرنة، ولا المريضة، ولا الشرط اللئيمة، ولكن من وسط أموالكم، فإن الله لم يسألكم خيره، ولم يأمركم بشره (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 1582)

Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mu’aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has mentioned, “Whoever carries out three actions will taste the sweetness of Imaan. Whoever worships Allah Ta‘ala alone, testifies that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah Ta‘ala, and discharges the zakaat from his wealth with a happy heart and a heart which prompts him to discharge his zakaat every year; he neither discharges in zakaat a very old animal, nor an animal that is afflicted with mange, nor a sick animal and nor does he discharge his most inferior wealth in zakaat. Rather, he gives his moderate wealth in zakaat because Allah Ta‘ala  neither asks you for your superior wealth nor does He command you to give your inferior wealth.”

2. Regard the recipient of the zakaat as doing you a favour, as he is the means of you fulfilling your fardh obligation. Through him accepting your zakaat, he is cleansing your wealth from impurity.

عن جابر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من أدى زكاة ماله فقد ذهب عنه شره (المعجم الأوسط للطبراني، الرقم: 1579، وقال الهيثمي في مجمع الزوائد (الرقم: 4334): إسناده حسن)

Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who discharges his zakaat, his wealth is cleansed from impurity.”