The Reason for Zakat, Helping Others
رُوِيَ عَنِ الإِمَامِ الرِّضَا: عِلَّةُ الزَّكَاةِ مِنْ أَجْلِ قُوْتِ الْفُقَرَاءِ، وَتَحْصِيْلِ أَمْوَالِ الأَغْنِيَاءِ. لأَِنَّ اللٌّهَ تَبارَكَ وَتَعَالىٌ كَلَّفَ أَهْلَ الصِّحَّةِ الْقِيَامِ بِشَأْنِ أَهْلِ الزَّمَانَةِ وَالْبَلْوَى
It has been narrated from Imam Reza (A.S), that he said: “The reason for zakat is to ensure the sustenance of the poor and to levy the wealth of the rich, for Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has charged the people of good health with upholding the affairs of the people afflicted with illness and tribulation.”
Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 93, Page 18
Other links:
The Benefits of Prayers