Allah has enjoined zakaat upon the faithful, making it the third pillar of Islam, and warned those who do not pay it against severe punishment. Indeed, He links brotherhood of faith with sincere repentance, offering the prayers and paying the zakaat, as the Qur’an states, “Yet if they repent and establish regular prayers and pay the zakaat, then they are your brothers in faith.” (Soorat At-Tawbah, 9:11) The Prophet ﷺ also said, “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadaan.”(Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree:8; Saheeh Muslim: 16)