Definition of Zakah
Literally Zakah means
Blessing, purification, increase and
goodness. It is so called as it blesses the wealth from which it is taken and
protects it from misfortunes. Ibn Taimiah said, "The soul of one who gives
Zakah is blessed and so is his wealth."
Technically Zakah is defined as
"A determined portion taken from wealth and allocated to those deserving it,
by a Qur'anic injunction." Sometimes Zakah is referred to in the Holy Qur'an
as Sadaqah (alms). The Qur'an says, "Of their goods take alms, that so thou
mightest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their behalf, verily thy
prayers are a source of security for them." (Surah Al-Taubah, No.9, Verse:
103). In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his
Companion Mu`adh, when he was sent to Yemen as governor, "Tell them that Allah
has made Zakah obligatory for them, that it should be collected from the rich
and distributed among the poor."