Zakah
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 4.3.8
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.
Test yourself on Zakah
What does the Arabic word Zakah mean?
What's the form of giving called that can include giving personal time?
Why do Muslims give to charity?