Zakah likewise aids those engaged in jihad for the sake of Allah, for one of the eight designated categories of recipients is “in the cause of Allah,” as the Exalted says, “and for the cause of Allah” (Qur’an 9:60).

Another benefit of zakah is the liberation of human beings from servitude. A Muslim may purchase a slave with zakah funds and then set him free, because Allah says, “and for freeing slaves” (Qur’an 9:60).

Zakah also serves to discharge outstanding debts. How many people are overwhelmed by liabilities that keep mounting! When their debts are paid off from zakah, great good is achieved: the debtor’s liability is lifted and the creditor’s right is restored.

In addition, zakah assists travelers who have been cut off from their resources. A person may lose the money he set out with and find nothing to carry him back home; such a traveler is given from zakah what will enable him to reach his homeland, even if he is wealthy there.

In short, zakah brings numerous benefits, and for that reason it was made a pillar of Islam.

The scholars have differed over the one who is negligent with regard to zakah: does he fall into unbelief, as is the case with someone who makes light of the prayer, or not? The sound opinion is that he does not become a disbeliever. The proof is the report recorded by Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“No owner of gold or silver who fails to pay its due will escape, except that on the Day of Resurrection plates of fire will be forged for him, heated in the Fire of Hell, and his flank, his forehead, and his back will be branded with them. Whenever they cool they will be reheated, on a day whose length is fifty thousand years, until judgment is passed among all servants and he is shown his path—whether to…"