4.3.8
Zakah
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Zakah: Charity
The Arabic word Zakah means to purify or cleanse. The Qur'an is clear about who should receive Zakah: the poor and needy, and those in debt.

Giving
- If a Muslim can afford to, he/she must give 2.5% of their income to charity. This amount is not written in the Qur'an, but Muslim scholars have taught that 2.5% is the right amount to give.
- Because Ramadan is an important month for spiritual growth, many Muslims will save their money and give it during this month.

Why do Muslims give?
- Giving to charity shows that a person doesn’t own everything they have.
- Some of our possessions must be given to those who don’t have anything.
- Giving away one’s wealth teaches a person not to be selfish.
- Using wealth in the way Allah wants fulfils a religious duty and helps a Muslim remember Allah throughout the day.

Other giving
- There is also another form of giving, which can include giving personal time. This is called sadaqah.
- In Shi’a Islam, one of the Ten Obligatory acts is Khums. The word means 1/5. This duty obligates Shi’a Muslims to give 20% of all earnings after personal spending has been deducted.
- Some of the money collected goes to Shi’a religious institutions and the rest goes to poor families.
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Jump to other topics
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Practice questions on Zakah
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What does the Arabic word Zakah mean?Multiple choice
- 2
- 3Why do Muslims give to charity?Fill in the list
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books