It is a well-established principle in Islamic jurisprudence and a rational reality that the Divine Lawgiver (Allah) did not prescribe any ruling except that it carries specific objectives, purposes, wisdoms, and secrets-known to those who recognise them and hidden from those who do not. The absence of knowledge about them does not negate their existence. These objectives and purposes ultimately aim to promote benefits and prevent harm in religion, worldly life, and the Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty, says:
‘’Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer—We will surely grant them a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.’’ [Surah An-Nahl: 97]
The scholars unanimously agree that the overarching objective of Islamic law is to bring about benefits and ward off harm. Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to achieve and perfect benefits and to nullify and minimise harms.”
Al-Shatibi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
“The purpose of divine legislation is solely to secure the welfare of the people, both in this life and the next.”
Ibn Ashur (may Allah have mercy on him) further explained:
“All divine laws, especially the Sharia of Islam, were revealed to promote human welfare in both the immediate and the eventual—meaning in their present affairs and their long-term outcomes.”
The Dual Dimensions of Zakat: Spiritual and Social
Like all the pillars of Islam, Zakat operates in private and public domains. It embodies two interconnected dimensions: a vertical dimension that strengthens the relationship between the individual and Allah (SWT) and a horizontal dimension that fosters social and economic ties among human beings. The vertical dimension reflects the spiritual essence of Zakat-it is an act of worship (`ibadah`) that purifies one’s wealth and soul, fulfils a divine commandment, and expresses gratitude to Allah for His blessings. The horizontal dimension, on the other hand, highlights Zakat’s role as a social and economic instrument designed to address inequality, alleviate poverty, and promote communal solidarity.
The dual nature of Zakat- as both a spiritual obligation and an economic tool- underscores its unique position in Islam. It draws closer to Allah and provides a practical solution to societal challenges. By fulfilling the vertical dimension, Muslims demonstrate their obedience to Allah’s commands. In contrast, the horizontal dimension ensures that Zakat contributes to the broader goals of social justice, economic stability, and communal harmony.
Why Zakat? Reclaiming the Primary Maqsad
A paramount question that individuals and charity workers must ask themselves is: Why Zakat? In other words, why am I paying Zakat, and Why am I working in this area? While many people will instinctively provide textbook answers such as “to alleviate poverty” or “to help the needy,” they often focus primarily on the horizontal outcomes of Zakat. While these benefits are undoubtedly significant, the primary maqsad (objective) of Zakat is spiritual and is about establishing the Tawhid of Allah and reinforcing our relationship with Him. Everything else- poverty alleviation, wealth redistribution, and economic stability- are secondary by-products.
In today’s increasingly secularised, commercialised, and consumer-driven world, however, the spiritual essence of Zakat can sometimes be overshadowed by an emphasis on its material outcomes. This is not a critique of the noble efforts of the Muslim charity sector, which has made remarkable strides in alleviating suffering and providing vital assistance globally. Instead, it is a gentle call for balance- to ensure that Zakat’s vertical dimension is given as much, if not more, attention as its social impact.
Zakat: Worship First, Charity Second
The core reality is this: Zakat is an act of worship. If we pay Zakat (or fulfil any other pillar of Islam) while neglecting the spiritual dimension, we must ask whether we genuinely fulfil it as intended.
Consider the example of prayer (`salah`). Many are meticulous about attending Tarawih in Ramadan, even striving for the front row, yet their business dealings or daily conduct may fall short of Islamic ethics. Similarly, some may fast all day but neglect their other religious obligations. The point is not to abandon one duty due to shortcomings in another- far from it. Instead, it is to recognise a disconnect when outward practices do not lead to inner spiritual growth.
This disconnect is also reflected in the collective practice of Zakat. Despite decades of charitable giving and hundreds of billions of pounds and dollars raised globally, poverty remains widespread. One reason may be that the focus is often on “how much” rather than “why.” While increasing funds is vital, reconnecting with Zakat’s spiritual purpose is equally important.
Establishing Zakat, Not Just Performing It
Throughout the Qur’an, Allah repeatedly commands the believers to “establish” Zakat rather than merely perform it. This distinction is significant. Allah says:
‘’Establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and bow down with those who bow down.
(وَأَقِيمُوا ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ) [Surah Al-Baqarah: 43]
The Meaning of “Establishing” Prayer and Zakat
The Qur’an’s use of “Iqamah” (establish) rather than “Ada” (perform) carries profound theological significance:
From one angle, establishing Salah means executing it with all its physical and internal conditions, with the heart and soul, in full awareness and khushu’ (humility and concentration). True Salah requires the synchrony of body, soul, and heart. Thus, Iqamah goes beyond the physical motions—it entails spiritual depth and conscious devotion.
By contrast, the Qur’an uses “Ada” (perform) for Hajj and its rituals. For example, one may “perform” Hajj while sitting or even sleeping (e.g., at Mina or Muzdalifah), yet Allah does not command Iqamah of Hajj, only its performance. This linguistic distinction illustrates that while Hajj and other acts of worship can be fulfilled through essential physical execution, Salah and Zakat must be established, reflecting an enduring, systemic, and spiritually conscious practice.
From another angle, the command to establish Salah and Zakat applies to individuals and the entire community. Iqamah of Salah requires building mosques, appointing imams, training mu’adhins, and ensuring the necessary infrastructure for collective worship. Similarly, establishing Zakat necessitates institutional frameworks- proper collection, administration, and year-round distribution- rather than seasonal, ad-hoc disbursements.
I surveyed and studied most of the well-known Christian charities a while back. While some openly display their religious affiliation at a surface level, most clearly express their religious intent in their mission statements and vision. I am aware that Muslim charities operate under far greater scrutiny, particularly in today’s increasingly secularised (and secuterised) and Islamophobic landscape. Nevertheless, these challenges can be addressed without compromising our religious identity- even in the language we use.
Yes, when it comes to fundraising, we frequently see Qur’anic verses and Hadiths used to encourage donations. However, the overall language and messaging in many of our mission statements and public narratives may often adopt a secular tone. This is concerning because it subtly reflects some of the nefarious trends seeping into the Muslim psyche. Increasingly, Muslims- both individuals and organisations- are judged and valued based on their financial influence and fundraising capacity, even though their actions may not always reflect the religious ethos and higher objectives that the Shari’ah seeks to promote.
Muslims in the UK are reportedly among the most charitable people, and Alhamdulillah is a praiseworthy trait. However, despite the exponential growth of Muslim charitable institutions- from just a handful in the 1960s to tens of thousands today, raising hundreds of billions of pounds- the impact on poverty alleviation has not been as significant as expected. One reason may be that the focus, as stated above, has increasingly shifted to “how much” is raised rather than “why” we give. This is a genuine concern in a capitalist and consumerist world where the god of mammon holds great sway. When fundraising becomes purely transactional, the deeper spiritual purpose of Zakat is at risk of being diluted.
In the UK, only a few dedicated Zakat institutions focus on Zakat in a comprehensive and systematic manner (as far as the context allows). This is a shortcoming that all charities must seek to address. Zakat cannot be treated as a seasonal initiative- limited to Ramadan fundraising campaigns. Instead, charities must work towards establishing Zakat comprehensively, year-round, with proper education, transparent distribution, and a firm emphasis on its primary spiritual purpose: the worship of Allah and the establishment of Tawhid.
Practical Steps for Charities to Establish Zakat as Worship
- Prioritise Zakat Education as an Act of Worship
Year-Round Zakat Courses: Offer regular classes or webinars that emphasise Zakat’s spiritual and jurisprudential dimensions, linking it to Tawhid and servitude.
Friday Khutbahs on Zakat: Collaborate with mosques to deliver sermons highlighting Zakat as a divine command, not just a charitable obligation.
Educational Campaigns: Use social media and other platforms to consistently promote the spiritual objectives of Zakat, not only during Ramadan. Because people’s Zakat due date may fall outside of Ramadan.
- Use Worship-Centric Language and Messaging
“Pay Zakat” Instead of “Donate Zakat”: Consistently use language that reflects Zakat as a religious duty, not voluntary charity.
Spiritual Marketing: Frame campaigns around the Tawhid of Allah, emphasising how Zakat purifies the soul and fulfils an obligation.
- Infuse Zakat Distribution with Spirituality
Spiritual Counsel for Recipients: When delivering Zakat, include reminders, duas, and Islamic literature to uplift the recipient’s faith.
Dignified Distribution: Ensure Zakat recipients are treated with compassion, preserving their dignity as an act of worship.
- Year-Round Zakat Action
Monthly Zakat Payment Options: Encourage year-round Zakat payments to make it a continuous spiritual practice. Scholars permit up to two years in advance.
- Zakat and Salah Integration
Link Campaigns with Salah Initiatives: Encourage Payers to pray before paying Zakat and make dua for acceptance.
Jumu’ah and Zakat Link: Promote regular khutbahs that connect Zakat with Salah, highlighting their spiritual connection.
- Strengthen Staff Spiritual Accountability
Training for Zakat Staff: Educate staff on the spiritual responsibility of handling Zakat funds.
Dua for Donors and Recipients: Make dua for Allah’s acceptance of Zakat payments as part of the charity’s internal practice.
- Zakat in the Global Context: Advocating for Systemic Change
Collaboration with Scholarly Orgs: Work with scholars and Islamic finance experts to develop Zakat systems that prioritise the establishment of worship alongside financial relief, such as The British Board of Scholars & Imams (BBSI) and The Global Imams & Scholars Council (GISC), which are diverse, ecumenical, non-sectarian, and work independently.
Global Zakat Advocacy: Promote discussions about Zakat as a faith-based financial solution, emphasising its spiritual and systemic role in addressing economic disparities.
Zakat is far more than a financial obligation or a tool for poverty alleviation- it is, at its core, an act of worship that embodies the essence of Tawhid and servitude to Allah. Its primary objective is to strengthen the vertical relationship between the individual and their Creator, while its secondary outcomes include addressing societal and economic challenges. When properly established, Zakat becomes a means of spiritual purification, social justice, and communal solidarity.
This means going beyond simply collecting and distributing Zakat for the Muslim charity sector. It calls for a comprehensive and systemic approach that prioritises the establishment of Zakat as an enduring institution, not merely its seasonal performance.
Ultimately, the revival of Zakat’s spiritual essence offers a powerful opportunity for individual and collective transformation. When Muslims pay Zakat intending to fulfil Allah’s command, purify their wealth, and seek His pleasure, they experience spiritual growth and strengthen their bond with Him. Simultaneously, when charities prioritise Zakat’s vertical dimension alongside its social impact, they can help foster a stronger, more spiritually conscious Ummah- one that upholds Zakat not merely as an obligation but as a path to divine closeness, societal upliftment, and the fulfilment of Allah’s divine wisdom.
Shaykh A. Hasan, Zakat Specialist, Islamic Psychology Expert, The British Board of Scholars & Imams (BBSI), The Global Imams & Scholars Council (GISC)