Meaning of Lilah, Zakah and Sadaqah

Lilah is a common Arabic word or name. This name means night or night beauty. It is also used to mean lovelorn, seductive or languishing. People with this name are expected to depict these attributes in the Muslim community. Despite being of Arabic origin, this name is also common in the following languages and countries, English, Australian, Greek, Danish and American.

The name lilah goes along with others such as Zakah and Sadaqa. Zakah refers to a form of obligation for Muslim individuals. Every individual is expected to perform this charity act. Muslims consider it as a form of worship and a social investment. Zakah is among the five fundamentals or pillars of Islam. In different Muslim communities, Zakah is regarded as an important economic tool. It offers a method that is approved by the religion for managing finance and economic. Zakah is also scrupulously prescribed by the Qur’an.

Literary, Zakah implies to purify. This refers to purification of soul and wealth of a Muslim. Purification of wealth implies assets mobilization with an aim of ensuring justified and distribution of wealth. Soul purification means freedom from jealousy, hatred, uneasiness, selfishness, and greed. Other connotations of the world include purification of sins.

Technically, zakah refers to a fixed proportion that is collected from surplus earnings and wealth of Muslims. Once collected the portion is distributed to beneficiaries who are prescribed by Islam and the welfare of the Muslim infrastructure.

Similarly, sadaqah refers to a voluntary act that involves giving alms by a Muslim who wants to make a contribution that is more than zakah. Zakah is an obligatory payment but sadaqah is used to bring or mark blessings to different occasions such as anniversaries, weddings as well as personal success, bereavement or sadness. Thus, sadaqah can be offered at any time whether it is during sadness or happiness. It usually signifies gratitude to the Allah Subhanu wa Ta’ala.

These terms are all important in the Muslim religion and committed Muslims observe them in their religious life. Lilah, Zaka and Zadaqah depict dedication of a Muslim to living according to the teaching of Qur’an and observing the fundamentals or pillars of Islam.