Message #17125

[Zainab_M]

Walaikum Salaam.  And so sorry to keep you waiting dear Sis.  Got a bit busy with my daily chores. 

That's an excellent query.  The answer needs to be analysed.  The Noble Quran definitely emphasizes on charity.   At the same time, some non-traditional segments are also of the opinion that traditionalists have to an extent distorted the direct Quranic definition of the words zakaa by over-emphasizing on charity for their own benefit.  As we know, traditionalists sometimes do have this problem.


(1)   Zakat literally means purity or purification.  Its connection with charity elucidates the purification of one's wealth by contributing a portion of it as charity to the needy. 


(2)   Now let us go further at the second step of this analysis.  According to Abu Alaa Maududi, I quote: "Some people have interpreted the words yu'tun-az-zakat in this Verse to mean that they should adopt moral purity. But, wherever in the Qur'an the word ita-i-zakat has occurred along with the word iqamat-i-salat, it means payment of the Zakat, which is the second pillar of Islam after the Salat. ....  Moreover, the Qur'an has used the word tazakka for adopting piety and purity and not ita' which is specifically used for the payment of the Zakat. In fact, what is meant to be expressed here is: In order to benefit fully from the guidance of the Qur'an, it's imperative that one should adopt the attitude of submission and obedience in practical life as well after the affirmation of the Faith.  Establishment of the Salat and the payment of the Zakat is the first indication that one has actually adopted such an attitude. If there is no such indication, it will become obvious that one is rebellious; they may have acknowledged The Ruler as such, but have not inclined to carry out His Commands."

This certainly makes sense.  The mention of salat and zakaa together do occur often in the Quran, where apparently the allusion is prayer and charity.  Also, this undoubtedly indicates the importance of charity for the purification of one's soul.  You can put it as the second pillar of Islam or however you decide to interpret its relevance, it remains a very important tenet after the regular, obligatory prayers. 

Let us look at Verse 24:21 for example. 

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنْكُمْ

In transliteration with English translation, the above verse can be analysed as: 

walawlā  = and if not

fazlu =  (for the) Grace of Allah

l-lahi  =  (for the) Grace of Allah

alaykum = upon you

waraḥmatuhu  =  and His Mercy

ma = not

zakaa =  (would) have been pure

minkum  =  among you


Thus, here the word zakaa surely alludes to moral piety. 


(3)  Moving to the third step of our analysis:  We have to admit that in translations the matter often becomes subjective depending on the instincts of the translator and the word they use in their translations.  In original Arabic the Word of Allah never changes.  Therefore in certain Verses, only Allah would know best the precise meaning of the word zakaa.  As examples we can include Verse 19:31 and 79:17-18.

The following Verse 19:31 -

وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا

waja alani =  He (has) made me

mubarakan   = blessed

ayna   =  wherever

ma   =    wherever

kuntu   =   I am

wa-awṣānī   =   and has enjoined (on) me

bil-salati   =   (of) the prayer

wal-zakati  =  and zakah

ma   =   as long as I am

domtu   =  as long as I am

hayyan   =  alive

Pickthall's translation writes:
"And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive,"

A modernist translation writes:
"And He made me blessed wherever I go, and He enjoined on me my commitments and purity as long as I live."

The international translation writes:
"And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive"

Pickthall has interpreted the word zakat in Verse 19:35 as charity or almsgiving.  The modernist has interpreted it as purity;  this person has also come up with a different interpretation for the Quranic expression bil-ṣalati.  He translates it as "commitments" but bil-salati definitely means prayer.   The internationally accepted translation has not translated the word zakah and has simply left it as in the original.  It's apparently the right step to take as in certain Verses the exact interpretation of the word zakah or zakat is only known to Allah alone.  Personally I am of the opinion that in Verse 19:35 the term zakah does imply to be charitable or use of charity to promote purification along with prayer as first priority.  For that reason the mention of salat precedes zakah.

Let's also study Verse 79:17-18 in which Allah Almighty commands Prophet Moses (pbuh) to speak to Pharaoh.

اذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ
فَقُلْ هَلْ لَكَ إِلَىٰ أَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ
(Verse 79:17-18)

idh'hab   =   "Go
ilā   = to
fir'ʿawna   =  Firaun
innahu  =  Indeed, he
ṭaghā   =  (has) transgressed
faqul   =  and say,
hal   =   "Would
laka   =   (for) you
ilā   =   (to)
an   =   (that)
tazakkā   =  purify yourself?

Pickthall translation :   "Go you unto Pharaoh - Lo! he has rebelled -  And say (unto him): Have you (will) to grow (in grace)?

Modernist translation: ‘Go to Pharaoh, indeed he has transgressed and tell him, “Will you not purify yourself?”'

International translation:   "Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.  And say to him, 'Would you [be willing to] purify yourself.

As you can see in the above translations the modernist and international translators have translated the original word "tazakka" (which comes from zaka) as 'purify' and Pickthall has translated it as 'to grow (in grace).' 


Conclusion:

Maududi has a point when  he mentions that the word "tazakka" in the Quran refers to purity and when the term zakaa occurs after salat, it refers to alms.   Beyond that, the interpretation rests upon Allah only. 

Readers are entitled to interpret to the best of their knowledge and conscience, but their interpretation must NOT be based on selfish motives or personal convenience, that is, picking an interpretation only because it's easy for them to adhere to and in the process disregarding the original by overlooking the broad Quranic ideology.

In my personal opinion, one needs to focus on every specific Verse of the Quran that contains the word zakah to analyze its particular reference that seems most likely.   I think the reference in Verse 27:3 is prayer and further purification of oneself through charity.  Needless to mention, charity is for the needy, not for the greedy mullahs or so-called ulemas who are eager to fund extravagant projects or personal ambitions.