The Obligation of Zakah and Its Excellence

Establish the Prayer, and pay the Prescribed Purifying Alms. (al-Baqarah 2:43)

Take alms (prescribed or voluntary) out of their wealth so that you (O Messenger) may thereby cleanse them and cause them to grow in purity and sincerity, and pray for them. (at-Tawbah 9:103)

590. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Islam is based on five: testifying that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Shahada); establishing the Prayer (Salah); paying the Prescribed Purifying Alms (Zakah), the Pilgrimage (Hajj) and the Fast (Sawm) of Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Iman, 1; Sahih Muslim, Iman, 19).

591. Talha ibn Ubaydullah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that a man came to the Messenger of Allah from the people of Najd. His hair was unkempt. The sound of his voice could be heard, but they could not understand what he said until he drew near. He was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It is five Prayers a day.” He asked, “Do I have to do anymore?” He said, “No, unless you want to do voluntary Prayers.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then said, “And you must fast the month of Ramadan.” He asked, “Do I have to do anymore?” He said, “No, unless you want to do so voluntarily.” Then the Messenger of Allah mentioned Zakah to him. He said, “Do I have to do anymore?” He said, “No, unless you want to do so voluntarily.” The man withdrew, saying, “By Allah, I will do neither more nor less than this.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If he is speaking the truth, he will have success (he will be granted Paradise).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Iman, 34; Sawm, 1; Sahih Muslim, Iman, 8).

Nawawi, Imam. Riyad As-Salihin; The Gardens of the Righteous: A collection of authentic hadiths. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2014