Zakah | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Alms Giving

• Zakah, or almsgiving, is a fundamental obligation in Islam, recognized as one of the five pillars for Sunni Muslims and one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims, making it mandatory for all Muslims.
• Zakah involves donating 2.5 percent of a Muslim’s wealth, above a certain threshold, to charity after covering essential family expenses.
  • The 2.5 percent rate is not specified in the Qur’an but was established by Islamic scholars.
  • Although Zakah is obligatory, Muslims who cannot afford it are exempt. The minimum wealth threshold for Zakah is called the Nisab.
• Muslims can fulfill their Zakah obligation in various ways.
• In places like the UK, some Muslims donate directly to charities, such as Muslim Aid.
• Organizations like Muslim Aid provide assistance both globally, such as for earthquake victims in the Middle East, and locally, such as for those affected by the Grenfell fire disaster.
• Others give through mosque collections, which are then distributed to those in need.
• In Islamic countries, Zakah is often collected as a form of taxation.
• Beyond Zakah, Muslims are encouraged to voluntarily donate money and time to charity throughout the year, a practice known as Sadaqah.

Significance of Almsgiving

• Helping others through almsgiving is viewed as serving Allah and fulfilling a divine obligation.
• Through Zakah, the Muslim community, or Ummah, supports its most vulnerable members by providing financial assistance.
• Muslims consider wealth a blessing from Allah, and Zakah reflects gratitude for God’s provisions.
  • The Qur’an instructs: “Spend from what We have provided for you” (Qur’an 2:254), emphasizing the importance of sharing wealth.
• Almsgiving allows Muslims to act on their prayers to support those in need.
• By giving Zakah, Muslims purify their souls, cleansing themselves of selfishness and greed.
• The Qur’an frequently references Zakah, underscoring its significance in Islamic practice.
  • According to the Qur’an: “Alms are meant only for the poor, the needy, those who administer them, those whose hearts need winning over, to free slaves and help those in debt, for God’s cause, and for travellers in need” (Qur’an 9:60).
• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) practiced Zakah and taught that caring for widows or the poor is akin to striving in God’s cause.
• By aiding those in need, Muslims believe they will earn rewards in the afterlife.
  • The Qur’an states: “You shall not attain righteousness until you give freely of what you love; and whatever you give, Allah is fully aware of it” (Qur’an 3:92).
• It is believed that those who give generously will receive manifold rewards in the afterlife.

Shi’a Practice of Khums

Khums

• In addition to spiritual duties, Muslims have financial responsibilities, one of which is Khums for Shi’a Muslims.
• Khums, meaning “a fifth,” requires Shi’a Muslims to donate 20 percent of their savings to support Islamic education and assist the poor.
• Khums complements Zakah, aiming to promote justice and strengthen human bonds within society.
• This practice is rooted in the Qur’an, which states: “Know that whatever you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah, for the Messenger, for the near relative, and the orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer.”
• Historically, Khums was paid to the Islamic state’s leader, but today, half of it is given to Shi’a religious leaders, with the remainder distributed to the poor.
• Khums funds support initiatives such as Water Aid programs, appeals for countries like Afghanistan and Yemen, and projects aiding orphans, widows, and vulnerable children.