Zakat is a pillar of Islam that goes beyond supporting those in need. It’s also about purifying the giver’s soul and wealth. Although Zakat has clear guidelines on recipients and amounts, it carries deeper principles for the giver’s attitude and intention. When approached with sincerity and humility, Zakat transforms the giver, strengthening their connection to Allah and cultivating a sense of gratitude and responsibility.

This post delves into the essential principles for the giver of Zakat, highlighting how it should be performed—with purity, humility, and a heart devoted to Allah.

1. Purpose of Zakat: Testing Love, Fostering Gratitude, and Enabling Purification

For the giver, Zakat is an act of devotion. It tests their commitment to Allah, fosters gratitude, and cleanses the heart. The purpose of Zakat is threefold:

•Testing one’s love for Allah: Zakat challenges the giver to part with cherished wealth, showing a commitment to Allah above all else.

•Purifying from stinginess: Giving Zakat removes excessive attachment to material possessions.

•Expressing gratitude: Through Zakat, the giver acknowledges Allah’s blessings and uses their wealth to uplift others.

Allah reminds us in the Quran:

“Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:103)

Thus, the giver’s approach to Zakat should focus on spiritual growth and recognize wealth as a trust from Allah.

2. Giving Zakat Secretly: Emphasizing Humility Over Recognition

Islam encourages Muslims to give Zakat in secret to avoid any hint of pride or boastfulness. By keeping Zakat private, the giver preserves their sincerity, focusing solely on pleasing Allah while respecting the recipient’s dignity.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“A man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given will be among the seven whom Allah will shade on the Day when there is no shade but His.” (Sahih Bukhari)

However, if others might suspect a lack of Zakat payment, it is permissible to give openly to recipients who are comfortable receiving in public, while still giving discreetly to others.

3. Avoiding Arrogance and Harm in Giving

One of the core principles in giving Zakat is humility. The giver should avoid any sense of superiority or harm toward the recipient. Reminding the recipient of one’s generosity or making them feel indebted taints the act of giving. Instead, the giver should see Zakat as a command from Allah, with the recipient doing a favor by accepting it.

Allah says in the Quran:

“Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:263)

This means Zakat should be a humble act of gratitude to Allah, rather than a gesture that elevates the giver over others.

4. Viewing the Donation as Small

In Islam, genuine charity is marked by humility, and the giver should view their donation as a small contribution in the vast scope of Allah’s blessings. The giver should avoid pride or self-praise and remember that in Allah’s eyes, their Zakat is part of fulfilling His greater rights over them.

To maintain purity of heart, Zakat should be given promptly, with the mindset that it is a modest fulfillment of Allah’s commands.

5. Choosing the Best and Purest Wealth

Zakat is not about giving just any portion of one’s wealth—it’s about offering the best and purest of what one has.

Allah says:

“O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective thereof, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:267)

The giver should keep two points in mind:

•Allah’s Right: Out of reverence, Allah deserves the best, just as a guest deserves the best hospitality.

•Personal Benefit: What one gives will be met again on the Day of Judgment. Allah emphasizes this by saying,

“Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend from that which you love.” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:92)

6. Finding the Most Worthy Recipients

While Zakat is due to specific categories, the giver should also consider the piety and sincerity of recipients. By prioritizing those who are devout, the giver not only supports them financially but also strengthens the community spiritually.

Allah specifies eligible recipients in the Quran:

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60)

By choosing recipients with strong faith, the giver fulfills Zakat in a way that benefits both the giver and the recipient spiritually.

Conclusion: Giving Zakat with Heart and Humility

For the giver, Zakat is an opportunity to grow closer to Allah by giving with humility, purity, and sincerity. Following these principles—giving discreetly, avoiding arrogance, choosing high-quality wealth, and prioritizing devout recipients—ensures that Zakat transcends a mere financial duty and becomes an act of spiritual purification.

By giving Zakat, Muslims remember that wealth is a trust from Allah. Giving for His sake opens doors to blessings and rewards in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah accept our Zakat, purify our hearts, and grant us sincerity and humility in our giving. Ameen.