Zakat as a soul treatment

• Main Authors: Masroom, Mohd. Nasir, Muhamad, Siti Norlina, Panatik, Siti Aisyah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Penerbit UTM Press 2017
• Subjects: BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/80404/1/MohdNasirbinMasroom2017_ZakahasaSoulTreatment.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/80404/; https://dx.doi.org/10.11113/umran2017.4n3-1.252
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Worship in Islam is a form of obedience and manifestation of a Muslim's bondage to Allah SWT. However, worship also has certain advantages or benefits to the soul. This article aims to explain how zakat be able to improve the soul well-being. The method used by analyzing the views of Islamic scholars on the advantages of zakat practice. In addition, the Qur'anic verses and Hadiths are used to reinforce the argument. This article found that sincerity and understanding of the purpose of zakat are two significant elements in order to improve the soul. As such, zakat cultivated positive attitudes, such as sincerity, compassion and gratitude. On the contrary, zakat can avoid negative attitudes, such as greedy, arrogant and selfish. Therefore, sincerely and understanding the purpose of zakat can be used as one form of treatment for non-psychotic mental patients. This article is intended to provide guidance and enlightment to psychologists, counselors and counselors to treat patients in the Muslim community.