the first.⦗1⦘

What is being highlighted here is the notion of purification. Allah the Exalted says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that is purer for them” (Al-Nur 24:30).

He also says:

“And if you are told, ‘Turn back,’ then turn back; that is purer for you” (Al-Nur 24:28).

And He says:

“Woe to the polytheists—those who do not give the zakah” (Fussilat 41:6–7).

He likewise says:

“It is no concern of you if he does not seek to purify himself” (Abasa 80:7).

Moses said to Pharaoh, “Will you let yourself be purified, and shall I guide you to your Lord so that you may fear Him?” (Al-Naziyat 79:18–19),

and Allah says:

“That is the reward of him who purifies himself” (Ta-Ha 20:76).⦗2⦘

The root meaning of zakah is an increase in goodness. Hence one says, “The crop has zākā (grown),” ⦗and likewise, “the wealth has zākā (increased)⦘⦗3⦘ when it prospers. Goodness grows only when evil is abandoned, just as a crop does not thrive until the weeds are cleared away. In the same way, neither the soul nor one's deeds become pure ⦗until whatever contradicts that purity is removed⦘⦗4⦘, and a person is not truly purified unless he gives up sin; ⦗whoever does not abandon sin is never pure at all, for sin⦘⦗5⦘ soils and debases the soul.