Zakat is the first of Allah�s rights in money and the one most assured among them.

Allah�s rights in money are many but we don�t want to bore the readers by counting them.

It would be fair enough just to present some of the meanings that need further explaining.

The base for Zakat is to pay charity as a way to get close to Allah, carry His orders and look for His rewards. Zakat is not a tax taken by force because whoever pays his Zakat by force, to show off, out of hypocrisy, or in order to make people feel grateful to him this Zakat will not be considered worship nor it will have any value whatsoever.

Zakat in Islam is a deed that stands on good intention and meant only for Allah�s sake. It is compared in that sense to Salat, Piety and repentance. It is part of the virtues and a pillar of faith.

Allah said: but My Mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our Signs. [7:156]
And said: Say: Shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; with Companions pure (and holy) and the good pleasure of Allah. For in Allah's sight are (all) His servants, (Namely), those who say; "Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire;" Those who show patience, firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend (in the way of Allah); and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning. [3:15-17]
And said: Who establish regular prayers and spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance: Such in truth are the Believers: they have grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous sustenance. [8:3-4]

That is true because Zakat in manners is associated with truth, in worship with Salat and is accompanied with asking repentance from Allah at dawn. It is a psychological obedience prior to being an economical plan no matter how much blessing and aid paying it would bring.

In confirmation of this meaning we mention the Hadeeth narrated by Anas bin Malik that a man from a tribe called Tamim came to the Prophet pbuh and said: Oh Messenger of Allah I�m a man with a lot of money, family and wealth so tell me what to do and how to spend? The Prophet pbuh said, �Take charity out of your money. It is a purity that would purify you. Visit you relatives, and pay the rights of the needy, the poor and your neighbors. (Ahmad)

In another Hadeeth by Abi Al-Dardaa� that the Prophet pbuh said, � Five matters whoever does them in addition to having faith would enter Jennah (Paradise):
The five Prayers, their ablution, bowing, prostration and times, fast Ramadan, make Pilgrimage to Mecca if one can, pay Zakat out of kind heart, and pay back what was deposited in your trust.�
The Prophet was asked: Oh Messenger of Allah what is to pay back what you were entrusted? He said to shower after sexual intercourse. Allah has not entrusted Son of Adam on anything from religion but this.� (Al-Tabarani)

Aicha (the Prophet�s wife) narrated that the Prophet pbuh said,
� Three matters I swear on them. Allah will never treat those who have a share of Islam like those who don�t. The shares of Islam are three: Salat, Fasting, and Zakat. And no servant would lean on Allah in this life then Allah would lean him to any other than him in the hereafter.� (Ahmad)

In addition, Zakat is a filling for the flows of the society and an immune system from poverty and loss. Resulting from accumulating it is for the needy to be clothed, and the poor from the humiliation of poverty be spared; however, a Muslim is asked to spend in both circumstances:
If he was wealthy, and if he was poor and has what he can give to share in relieving others from their problems.
Allah said:
Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good. [2:133-134]

And one�s spending in prosperity is clear but spending in diversity doesn�t happen unless all the society was in a condition so bad that requires everybody stand for each other even if that meant giving part of their own food to help the others.

This why it was an element of benevolence in addition to pay charity to give money to others even when liking to keep it:
For your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; [2:177]

We could clearly see this from the times of early Prophet hood.
Because in addition to Zakat on every capable we notice something else imposed on the people of Israel:
Allah did aforetime take a Covenant, from the children of Israel, and We appointed twelve captains among them. And Allah said I am with you if ye (but) establish regular Prayers, practice regular Charity, believe in My messengers, honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan. Verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisted faith, he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude. [5:12]

* * *

The secret in imposing on those capable this continuing spending returns to two matters: First, To please Allah almighty by caring for the weak amongst His creatures no matter how much expenses or charities would such a care require.
The other, To immune the society from bursts of anger and hatred that emerges from poverty and stinginess and ignorance to others pains.
That�s why Allah almighty shows us that the reward for such spending is security in this life as well as in the hereafter and to preserve the fortunes from revolutions of the envious and irritated.
I wonder if the nations of the west comprehended this lesson would they ever face revolutions of rage and destruction that occur once in a while?
As for people of believe they are safe from this horror:
Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [2:274]

And Allah said prior to that:
It is not required of thee (O Messenger), to set them on the right path, but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleases.
Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls, and ye shall only do so seeking the "Face" of Allah. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly. [2:272]

And said:
Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of Allah: but among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you! [47:38]

* * *

* * *
Hajj (Pilgrimage)

What is the relationship between Islam and this Mosque?
Why is it a must for every capable to head for this House as an honoring visitor?

The fact is that there are numerous links that give for the Pilgrimage to this house a high status and considerable effects.

The Haram (forbidden) Mosque is the first Mosque built for worship on the face of earth after tearing down the idols and the breaking of their status.

The sign that it was built over the wreckage of vanishing paganism is evidence on the victory of Oneness and the fly of its flags.

The builders were two honorable Prophets.
One of them was thrown into fire as a punishment for him leaving worship of idols. He is Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham) pbuh who said:
For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah. His people disputed with him. He said (Come) ye to dispute with me, about Allah, when He (Himself) hath guided me? I fear not (the beings) ye associate with Allah: unless my Lord willeth, (nothing can happen). My Lord comprehends in His knowledge all things. Will ye not (yourselves) be admonished? [6:79-80]

The other one is Isma�eel (Ishmael) who surrendered himself to be slaughtered when his father told him that he was ordered to do that:
Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view! (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one practicing Patience and Constancy! [37:102]

These two men sincere to Allah alone and dedicated in Him are the ones who built the Mosque known as Kaaba to be a symbol for believers and to pray in it.
Mentioning the high status of such a Mosque built on these foundations is very obvious. Then the Islamic nation is a result of a prayer that was accepted during the building of this House:
And remember Abraham and Isma�eel raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. "Our Lord! Make of us Muslims bowing to Thy (Will); and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (Will); and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and sanctify them: for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise. [2:127-129]
This memory is truly worth of commemorating.
Making Duaa (Asking Allah) for the generations that are yet to come is part of praising Allah for honoring us with such a mosque.
Who knows? Maybe our own guidance came as a blessing of this Duaa that was accepted by Allah.

In addition Salat-which is the first of the practical worships- is strongly attached to this ancient house. It is a common sense that when a Muslim stands, bends, or prostrates he knows only that he is standing before Allah the Lord of sunrises and sunsets.

It is taken for granted that Allah is the only One hoped and asked during the reciting, glorifying, and praise.
It is also taken for granted that all the directions-east, west, south, and north-are equal in ethical and physical values and non-is intended for sacredness or holiness.

But Allah desired to direct this nation to one Qiblah (direction) that the Mosques in five continents link with the first Mosque built on earth. The nation itself links to its first father Ibraheem declaring that with this attachment it doesn�t divert from the foundations of old Prophet hoods.
That only those who diverted are the one�s who associated and corrupted deserve Allah�s anger and those who went astray from the write path.
That�s why it came in the Quran:
From whence so ever thou start forth turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from thy Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do. So from when so ever thou start forth, turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque. And where so ever ye are, turn your face thither that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favors on you, and ye may (consent to) be guided. [2:149-150]

* * *