When Did Zakat Become Obligatory (Fardh)? What Is The Wisdom Behind The Obligation Of Zakat?

When did zakat become obligatory (fardh)? What is the wisdom behind the obligation of zakat?

Zakat became obligatory in Medina in the second year after the Hijrah. Zakat is cited along with prayer in the Holy Qur’an in several verses (Baqarah, 2/43, 110; Hajj, 22/78; Nur, 24/56); and Prophet Muhammad (saw) declared it as one of the basic Islamic acts of worship (Bukhari, Zakat, 1).

The fact that prayer and zakat are cited one after the other in the Holy Qur’an and hadiths is noteworthy because it shows the role of these two acts of worship in terms of ensuring that the communities reach spiritual maturity. The Holy Qur’an expresses that one of the most important conditions of reaching goodness and becoming a wise believer is to give zakat (Baqarah, 2/177). Giving zakat is also one of the qualities of the believers who attain salvation (Mu’minun, 23/1, 4). In addition, zakat is one of the ways to attain the mercy of Allah (swt) (A’raf, 7/156). In short, zakat is a worship that both purifies the worldly goods and conduces to spiritual purification (Tawbah, 9/103). Neglecting the payment of zakat that is often commanded in the verses and hadiths is considered as one of the characteristics of polytheists and this situation is criticized in the Holy Qur’an (Fussilat, 41/6-7).

Zakat also has many benefits for the society. For example, it contributes to fulfillment of the needs of the poor, decreases the gap between the rich and the poor, and helps love and sincerity to emerge between them. With this aspect, zakat boosts the social solidarity. It purifies societies of moral diseases such as grudge and selfishness. The fact that recipients of zakat covers people from all walks of life guarantees the social solidarity as well.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA