The word ‘Zakaah’ means purification and growth. An Important principle of Islam is that all things belong to Allah Almighty عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Muslims are enjoined to earn and spend their wealth in ways that are acceptable to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, Most Exalted. The divinely designed system of Zakaah is the right of Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ within His Dominion. It is neither a charity nor a tax, but an obligation due from Muslims who possess wealth in excess of their basic needs. Thus, the difference between Zakaah and tax is that a Muslim pays Zakaah willfully and on their own accord; they are the ones who supervise the payment.
Zakaah is only due when a person has the minimum required amount, which varies with the type of wealth. (Daarul Iftā Ahle Sunnat must be contacted for the details of Zakaah, email address: darulifta@dawateislami.net
Zakaah cleanses a Muslim of greed, selfishness, and the love of the temporal world. Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says:
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ تَبَوَّؤُ الدَّارَ وَ الۡاِیۡمَانَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ یُحِبُّوۡنَ مَنۡ ہَاجَرَ اِلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا یَجِدُوۡنَ فِیۡ صُدُوۡرِہِمۡ حَاجَۃً مِّمَّاۤ اُوۡتُوۡا وَ یُؤۡ ثِرُوۡنَ عَـلٰۤی اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ وَ لَوۡ کَانَ بِہِمۡ خَصَاصَۃٌ ؕ۟ وَ مَنۡ یُّوۡقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِہٖ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ۚ﴿۹﴾
And those who accepted this city as their home and accepted faith before them, befriend those who migrated towards them, and in their breasts do not find any need for what they have been given, and prefer the migrants above themselves even if they themselves are in dire need; and whoever is saved from the greed of his soul – it is they who are the successful. [Hashr 59:9]
It is the ideal way to meet the needs of the poorer sections of society without causing hardship to the wealthy.