“Charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire” (1).

Question: The scholars differed as to when zakah was made obligatory.

Some scholars held that it was prescribed in Mecca, citing the verses concerning zakah that were revealed there, such as: “And woe to those who associate others with Allah—those who do not give zakah” [Fussilat: 6, 7]; and: “And those within whose wealth is a known right—for the petitioner and the deprived” [al-Ma‘arij]; and: “Whatever you give in usury, seeking increase through the wealth of people, will not increase with Allah. But whatever you give in zakah, seeking the Face of Allah—those are the ones who will have their reward multiplied” [al-Rum]; as well as His saying: “Give its due on the day of its harvest” [al-An‘am: 141].

Others said—and this is the soundest view—that its obligation was prescribed in Mecca, while the specification of its minimum taxable amounts, the determination of the wealth subject to zakah, and the clarification of those entitled to receive it took place in Medina. Thus, its initial prescription in Mecca served to prepare people’s souls and dispose them to accept this command, since a person gives from his wealth, which he loves dearly, for matters from which he sees no apparent worldly benefit in return. Once souls had been prepared to accept what would be made obligatory upon them in this regard, Allah, Exalted is He, prescribed it in a clear and detailed manner; and this took place in Medina.

Definition of zakah:

Linguistically: growth and increase. A crop is said to have grown when it increases and flourishes.