Sermon Highlight Importance Of Zakat
By Nela Awang

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Friday sermon yesterday reminded Muslims of their Islamic obligation of paying the zakat harta, once they had fulfilled the requirements, or they have to face the punishment at the Day of Judgment.

Imams nationwide yesterday highlighted the importance of paying the tithe, as part of Islamic obligation. The sermon said that fortune or wealth was one of the blessings bestowed by Allah (SWT) and therefore it is wajib for all Muslims to fulfil this obligation.

Muslims were told that wealth should be spent according to the Islamic law, such as giving nafkah to those under their responsibility, and by giving aids, assistance or contributions to those who need it. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and is divided into two types - Zakat Fitrah and Zakat Harta. It is also the name given to the specific kind of property taken from a specific type of wealth, according to the specific requirements and distributed to certain people who deserve it. The sermon then described the types of wealth on which it is wajib to pay zakat. They are:

1) Livestock such as camels, „ cattle, buffaloes and goats.

2) Grains such as rice, wheat, maize and others that become main food for human beings.

3) Fruits such as dates and grapes.

4) Metal objects such as gold, silver, minerals including rikaz (a type of wealth buried in earth), saving money as well as business properties.

Based on the explanation, Imams reminded that those who paid zakat and those who received it would obtain many benefits. Congregants were also told that Islam had educated its ummah not to be selfish.

They were reminded that the wealth that they had was not owned by them completely, as it was actually a will, trusted by Allah (SWT) that contained the rights of others that need to be fulfilled by paying zakat.

Apart from zakat being an obligation, it was also away of showing gratitude towards Allah (SWT) for the blessings and in the same time, it was one of the way to cleanse the soul from sins, to distance oneself from being greedy.

The other benefit of the zakat was that it actually leads to cooperation and justice in the society and helps in bridging they gap between the rich and the poor.

However, Imams clarified that by paying zakat, one was actually helping those who did not have wealth or are less capable of making a living. This helps develop closer ties amongst the ummah. Muslims were also reminded that paying zakat did not lessen their wealth, but instead it adds up to the existing fortune and blessings.

Muslims were reminded that they should, not be carried away by wealth but always remember that they have the obligation to pay tithe.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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