MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Zakat, a cornerstone of Islamic practice, goes beyond simply giving alms. According to Abdul Mu’ti, Secretary General of Muhammadiyah, zakat offers three interconnected dimensions.
Mu’ti explained the three key functions of zakat. The first, tazkiyatun nafs, focuses on personal purification. By giving zakat, individuals cultivate generosity and detachment from material possessions. This combats negative tendencies like miserliness and excessive love of wealth.
The second dimension, tazkiyatun mal, purifies wealth itself. Zakat instills the understanding that a portion of one’s wealth belongs to the community. Distributing this portion ensures a more equitable distribution of resources.
Finally, zakat functions as tazkiyatun musykilat, addressing various social problems. It can alleviate poverty and tackle modern forms of slavery like human trafficking.
“The multifaceted nature of zakat allows it to tackle a wide range of issues. “When we consider its potential to free people from bondage, zakat emerges as a powerful tool for social justice,” emphasized Mu’ti on Wednesday (April 3).
Mu’ti further clarified that zakat’s benefits extend beyond the Muslim community. The eight categories of zakat recipients (asnaf) allow non-Muslims to receive aid as well.
While two of the asnaf categories specifically designate Muslims (mualaf and amil), the remaining six do not specify religion. This reflects the universality of zakat’s message of compassion and solidarity, encompassing all members of society.
