Among its further benefits is that it moves a person out of the circle of the stingy into the circle of the generous, for zakah is the giving of wealth whereas miserliness is its hoarding. Once a person pays it, he ceases to be counted among the miserly and is classed with the generous.

Another benefit is the multiplication of good deeds, for “The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is like that of a grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear are a hundred grains” (Qur’an 2:261)—in other words, one riyal is rewarded as a hundred riyals, or even more.

Zakah also heals the hearts of the poor, relieves their needs, and protects society from their resentment. When the poor are not given a share of the rich people’s wealth, they may grow angry, emboldened, and resentful, feeling that they dwell in one valley while the rich live in another. Yet the Muslim community is a single nation, and everyone must view himself as a brick in the wall of a palace alongside his Muslim brothers, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “A believer to another believer is like a building; each part supports the other.”

It is likewise a cause for one’s breast to be expanded. Whenever a person parts with some of his wealth, Allah opens his heart—something repeatedly observed in practice. Even if one were to give less than the obligatory amount of zakah, he would still experience inner relief and a love of goodness.

Finally, zakah extinguishes the Lord’s anger and wards off an evil death—an immense advantage indeed. To “ward off an evil death” is that a person dies in the best possible state.