What is Salat and Zakat, the pillars

Salat and Zakat: The Pillars of Islam and Their Significance

In Islam, the two acts of worship—Salat (prayer) and Zakat (charity)—are fundamental practices that define the spiritual and social dimensions of a Muslim’s life. These two pillars are part of the Five Pillars of Islam, which serve as the foundation for a Muslim’s faith and actions. While Salat ensures the connection between the believer and Allah (SWT), Zakat fosters social responsibility, compassion, and equity in society. This essay will delve into the significance of Salat and Zakat, their different forms, and the role they play in Islam, supported by relevant verses from the Quran and Hadith.

1. Salat: The Islamic Prayer

Salat is the ritual prayer that Muslims are required to perform five times a day. It is the second pillar of Islam and is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is physically and mentally capable. Salat serves as a direct communication between the believer and Allah, providing an opportunity for spiritual nourishment, reflection, and supplication. It is a means of remembering Allah, seeking His guidance, and asking for forgiveness.

The Significance of Salat

The importance of Salat is emphasized in numerous verses in the Quran, and it is described as the most direct way to strengthen one’s relationship with Allah. It is not merely a ritual act but a continuous process of spiritual purification, connection, and obedience to the Creator.

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:3): “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer (Salat), and spend from what We have provided for them.”

This verse highlights that Salat is a central act of worship for those who are conscious of Allah. It is one of the defining features of a believer’s life.

Salat serves multiple purposes:

1. Spiritual Cleansing: Prayer is an act of purification for the soul. It removes the spiritual filth accumulated through sins and negligence.
2. Connection with Allah: Salat brings the believer closer to Allah, as it is an opportunity for communication, praise, and supplication.
3. Discipline: The regularity of prayer helps instill discipline in a person’s life. Praying five times a day ensures that the believer remains focused on their faith, regardless of life’s distractions.
4. Reminder of the Hereafter: Salat serves as a reminder of the transient nature of this world and the eternal life of the Hereafter. It instills a sense of humility and gratitude.

The Five Daily Prayers

There are five obligatory prayers (Salat) that a Muslim must perform each day:

1. Fajr: The dawn prayer, which consists of two units (Rak’ah), performed before sunrise.
2. Dhuhr: The midday prayer, which consists of four Rak’ah, offered after the sun passes its zenith.
3. Asr: The afternoon prayer, consisting of four Rak’ah, offered in the afternoon.
4. Maghrib: The evening prayer, consisting of three Rak’ah, offered just after sunset.
5. Isha: The night prayer, consisting of four Rak’ah, performed after the twilight has disappeared.

Each prayer consists of a series of physical actions (standing, bowing, and prostrating) and verbal recitations that remind the believer of Allah’s greatness and mercy.

The Rewards of Salat

The rewards for Salat are numerous, as it is the first act of worship that a Muslim will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment.

• Surah Al-Mulk (67:15): “It is He who made the earth subservient to you. So traverse in its tracks and partake of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you…”

This verse serves as a reminder of the blessings of Allah and how we, as Muslims, are required to establish Salat in order to maintain this connection to Him. Moreover, Salat is a means of receiving Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

2. Zakat: The Islamic Charity

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and refers to the obligatory charity that Muslims are required to give annually from their wealth. It is a social and economic mechanism designed to redistribute wealth within the Muslim community, helping to reduce poverty and inequality. Zakat purifies a Muslim’s wealth and assists in the welfare of the less fortunate.

The Significance of Zakat

Zakat holds immense importance in Islam because it is a way of cleansing one’s wealth, ensuring that it does not become a source of pride or greed. It also fosters a sense of social responsibility and solidarity within the Muslim community, emphasizing the idea that wealth is not just for personal enjoyment but should benefit others.

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177): “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives his wealth in spite of love for it to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves…”

This verse shows that charity (including Zakat) is a significant part of being righteous in the eyes of Allah. Giving charity purifies the soul, removes attachment to material possessions, and fosters empathy toward those in need.

How Zakat Is Calculated

Zakat is calculated as a fixed percentage (2.5%) of a Muslim’s savings and wealth that has been in their possession for one full lunar year. This includes cash, gold, silver, business profits, and investments. The calculation of Zakat does not include personal necessities like a home, clothing, or food.

• Surah At-Tawbah (9:103): “Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase…”

This verse emphasizes that the purpose of Zakat is to purify the wealth of the believer. By giving, the Muslim believer not only aids those in need but also cleanses their heart from greed and selfishness.

The Benefits of Zakat

Zakat brings numerous benefits, both for the giver and the receiver. For the giver, it purifies the heart, fosters a sense of gratitude, and strengthens their connection with Allah. For the recipient, it alleviates hardship, reduces poverty, and promotes social justice.

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261): “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like that of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, and in each ear there are one hundred grains.”

This verse highlights the immense rewards for those who give charity. Zakat does not diminish the wealth of the giver but multiplies it manifold in the sight of Allah.

The Different Forms of Zakat

While Zakat is typically the obligatory annual charity, there are various other forms of charity in Islam. These forms can either be obligatory or voluntary, and they play a significant role in building a compassionate and just society.

1. Zakat al-Mal (Wealth Tax): The primary and most well-known form of Zakat is the annual 2.5% that Muslims must give on their savings and wealth. This is the pillar of charity and acts as an equalizer in society, ensuring that wealth is distributed fairly.
2. Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana): This is a special form of Zakat given at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is a fixed amount (often a few kilograms of staple food or its monetary equivalent) paid by every Muslim before the Eid al-Fitr prayer to purify the fast and help those in need to join in the celebration of Eid.
   • Sahih Bukhari: “The fast remains suspended between heaven and earth until the fasting person pays Zakat al-Fitr.”
   Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim, regardless of their wealth, and is meant to ensure that the poor can celebrate Eid without financial hardship.
3. Zakat on Trade and Business: In addition to personal wealth, Zakat also applies to business profits, investments, and trade goods. A Muslim who is engaged in commerce is required to give 2.5% of their net profit after deducting necessary business expenses. This ensures that the wealth generated from trade is purified and used for the betterment of society.
   • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267): “O you who have believed, do not waste your charity by reminding others of it or by injuring them.”
4. Zakat on Agricultural Produce: Zakat also applies to agricultural produce. If a Muslim grows crops or fruits, they must give a percentage (10% if the crops are irrigated naturally and 5% if they require irrigation) as Zakat. This form of Zakat ensures that those who depend on agriculture contribute to the welfare of others.
   • Surah Al-An’am (6:141): “It is He who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date palms, and crops of different shape and taste…”
5. Zakat on Livestock: Zakat also applies to livestock, including camels, cattle, and sheep. The amount of Zakat is determined by the number of animals and their age.
   • Sahih Muslim: “For every 30 sheep, there is one sheep due as Zakat.”
   This form of Zakat is a way of ensuring that those who possess wealth in the form of livestock contribute to the well-being of the less fortunate.
6. Voluntary Charity (Sadaqah): Apart from obligatory Zakat, Muslims are encouraged to give voluntary charity, known as Sadaqah. This can be in any amount and is given at any time, whether to the poor, for building mosques, supporting orphans, or in the form of any good deed.
   • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:271): “If you disclose your Sadaqah, it is good, but if you conceal it and give it to the poor, it is better for you…”
   Sadaqah has no set percentage or fixed amount and can be given according to one’s ability.

Conclusion

Salat and Zakat are two of the Five Pillars of Islam, integral to both the individual’s spiritual growth and the well-being of the community. Salat serves as a personal connection with Allah, nurturing discipline, humility, and gratitude, while Zakat serves as a social responsibility, ensuring wealth distribution and care for the poor. Through these two pillars, Muslims are guided to not only develop their relationship with Allah but also contribute to building a compassionate and just society.

In Islam, charity and prayer are not isolated actions but are interconnected with the values of justice, equity, and responsibility toward others. By fulfilling these pillars with sincerity, Muslims contribute to their own spiritual elevation while also playing a role in fostering social harmony and alleviating poverty. In this way, the practices of Salat and Zakat hold the keys to individual and societal happiness and well-being.