Sense Of Worship

 

Prayer, Poor-due and Unity (L-74) 

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ43.

43.  Wa  ‘aqiimus-Salaata wa   ‘aatuz-Zakaata  warka-‘uu  ma-‘ar-raaki-‘iin.

43.  And establish worship and pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship).

  ‘Az-Zakaata – (the poor-due), zakaat means “to increase”. Like this zakaatuz-zara’ means “husbandry increased”. By spending wealth on lawful works and paying to the deserving people for the cause of Allaah Almighty, it increases. Therefore, after passing a year, giving a prescribed portion of the wealth in the name of God Almighty, is called Zakaat. Other meanings of it are chastity, purity and cleanliness, really after paying Zakaat (the Poor-due), the property becomes pure. Salaat (prayer) and Zakaat (poor-due) are two such duties, which remained part of worship always in every religion; however, difference remained among their forms and propositions.

‘Arka-‘uu – (Bow), this word has come out from Rakuu’, which means “to lean, to bow”. As it is a part of the Prayer, so it is also used usually for the whole prayer. Sometimes, the word ‘Asjuduu (fall prostrate) has come along with it too. 

At the time of inviting the Jews unto Islam, God Almighty commanded that they must correct at first their faith and belief, and that they should produce real teachings of God before the people in its original form, and not to mix up (neither reduce nor increase) anything with it at their own.

Now they are being taught for action. So, it is commanded that they should form a habit themselves for offering prayers, perform this duty punctually and regularly. The prayer is the most superior form of worship from entire other bodily worships and the best way of recognizing God Almighty and pleasing to Him.

After the prayer, they are being instructed that they should pay Zakaat (the poor-due) every year from their wealth in accordance with the rules. They must pay a prescribed portion of their wealth (2.5%) every year to the poor, meek, deserving and needy people for the sake of God Almighty. They should spend their wealth given by Allaah Almighty on useful public works of welfare.

The Jews were very rich because most of the people from them were merchants and artificers, so it was dangerous for them that boundless love for wealth might be born in their hearts. Its remedy is attainable by offering prayers and giving Alms and poor-dues to the poor and needy people with sympathy and knowledge about their necessities. Therefore, they were commanded that they should offer congregational prayers in the Masjid with those who offer prayers and bow down when they bow, and pay the poor-due to the deserving persons. This congregation and unity have many advantages.

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