Seventh: it makes the Muslim society like a single family: those who are able assist those who are incapable, and the wealthy assist those in financial hardship. A person thus feels that he has brothers toward whom he must act kindly, just as Allah has been kind to him. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “And do good as Allah has done good to you” [al-Qaṣaṣ 28:77]. The Muslim community then becomes like a single family. This is what later scholars refer to as social solidarity, and zakah is among the best means of achieving it, for through it a person fulfills an obligation while benefiting his brothers.

Eighth: it extinguishes the heat of resentment among the poor. A poor person may be angered when he sees another man riding whatever vehicles he wishes, living in whatever palaces he wishes, and eating whatever food he desires, while he himself can ride only on his own feet and sleep only on worn-out bedding and the like. Undoubtedly, he will feel something within himself.

But when the wealthy give generously to the poor, they quell their resentment and calm their anger. The poor then say, “We have brothers who recognize us in times of hardship,” and so they become accustomed to the wealthy and come to love them.

Ninth: it prevents financial crimes such as theft, looting, robbery, and the like, because the poor receive that which fulfills some of their needs. They excuse the wealthy because the latter give them from their wealth: they give one quarter of a tenth from gold, silver, and trade goods; a tenth or half a tenth from grains and fruits; and a substantial share from livestock. Thus, they see that the wealthy have treated them kindly and do not transgress against them.