Zakat is the Pillar of Dween Islam. It is the 3rd or middle pillar without which the House of Islam will not sustain.
It is narrated in the Hadees Shareef –
Saiyidul Mursaleen, Imamul Mursaleen, Noore Mujassam, Habeebullah ‘Hu’dur Pak Swallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam narrates, ‘Honorable Dween Islam has five pillars – (1) Admit that there is none except Allah Pak and Noore Mujassam, Habeebullah ‘Hu’dur Pak Swallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam is the Rwasool of Allah Pak; (2) Establish Swalat (3) Pay Zakat (4) Perform Hajj; and (5) Observe Saom in Rwamadan Shareef (Bukhari Shareef)
To know more about the Ahkam (mandatory rules), Masaeel (guidelines) and Fazilats (benefits) of Zakat, visit http://ahkamuzzakat.com