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A muslim must practise prudent financial planning. This is to ensure that they are able to manage their money well, and spend it for noble causes. And among the preparations and careful financial planning is to be smart in setting out priorities or awlawiyyat in planning our finances to meet our obligations and to be spent for causes that will gain Allah's pleasure.

The philosophy of zakat is in line with Islam's concern of wealth inequality within the society. Thus, the philosophy of Zakat tends to a sharing system. It is a form of wealth partnership between the wealthy and the rich together with the poor, the destitute and needy. Zakat underscores Islam's concern for social equality. The richer a society, the more it should lead to an increasing amount of zakat collected. And when the amount of zakat collected grows, the rightful recipients of zakat of the asnaf zakat will be cared for. 

 

Every week we are reminded to increase our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. We are also called upon to heed His commandments and leave behind all that Allah has prohibited upon us. Allah is the One who determines our rizq or sustenance. And indeed, one of the names of Allah is ‘Ar-Razzaq’ or ‘The Provider’. Allah provides sustenance to all of humankind, whether they are believers or non-believers, and all of His creations including animals and plants. 

‘Fiqh Al-Awlawiyyat’ or the ‘Fiqh of Priorities’. This is a concept whereby we place emphasis or prioritise a matter as it should be prioritised. What is of utmost priority cannot be put off, and vice versa.?Fiqh Al-Awlawiyyat reminds us of the importance of channelling our resources, energy, time and wealth to matters that will have the deepest and greatest impact.

The Syariah ordained by Allah calls upon us to worship Allah, with the aim of increasing our taqwa towards Him. And we can develop our sense of taqwa by heeding what Allah has commanded upon us and avoiding what He has forbidden upon us. In doing so, there is always a need to make careful considerations. It is this approach that will ensure that we continue to be an ummah that is fair and just in fulfilling our religious life.

If we reflect deeply, the purpose of the Syariah ordained by Allah is a call upon unity and solidarity. The basis of the Syariah must be understood and appreciated. The more we appreciate and practise Islam, the more it will strengthen the unity among us. On the contrary, if we do not seek to understand Islam, or if we do not appreciate the beauty of this religion as much as we should, then the possibility of discord and animosity amongst us will increase.

Islam came to us, bringing the Syariah which aims to ensure a balance in the development of our spirituality, intellect and souls. ?Islamic Syariah is a set of rules to help humankind to be closer to Allah s.w.t. Thus, as a proof of our taqwa towards Allah, we must heed all His commands and avoid what Allah has prohibited upon us.

Allah s.w.t. has made it easy for humankind to reap the benefits of the earth's natural resources, as well as enable humankind to gain control over Allah's creations such as animals and plants. These are blessings or nikmat from Allah to enable humankind in fulfilling their responsibility to radiate goodness on Allah's earth.

 

Let us be more determined in following Allah's commandments and avoid what He has prohibited upon us, and by doing so, it will help us to instil in ourselves noble values and good traits that will radiate goodness in the lives of others and maintain the harmony in this plural society.