Zakah

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

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

Jump to other topics