Zakat in Islam: Purification of Wealth, Strengthening of the Community
Zakat—literally "purification" or "growth"—is the third pillar of Islam, a mandatory annual gift with a deeply spiritual and social purpose. Unlike voluntary charity (sadaqa), zakat is a divine mandate for every adult Muslim who meets the criteria.
What is Zakat?
Zakat al-Māl is 2.5% of the net wealth that remains above the nisab during an Islamic (lunar) year. This wealth includes savings, gold, silver, investments, trade goods, and sometimes livestock or agricultural produce, depending on the jurisprudence.
The nisab threshold can be based on the value of 87.5 grams of gold or 612 grams of silver (converted to modern currency). If a person's wealth remains below this threshold, they are not obligated to pay zakat.
Zakat al-Fitr: a separate form
In addition to the annual zakat based on wealth, there is Zakat al-Fitr , a fixed donation given before or shortly after the Eid prayers. This usually involves one sa'a (approximately 3 kg) of food or its equivalent per family member. The purpose is the same: to support the poor so they can also celebrate the festival with dignity.
Who should pay and who receives?
Zakat is payable by every adult Muslim whose wealth exceeds the nisab and has held it for at least one year. Recipients belong to eight categories (asnāf) mentioned in the Quran (9:60): the poor, the needy, collectors, debtors, converts, slaves, travelers, and those who "strive in the way of Allah."
Why is Zakat so important?
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Spiritual purification
Zakat is seen as a means of purifying wealth from greed, and it cleanses the heart from selfishness. -
Socio-economic justice
Through redistribution, zakat reduces the gap between rich and poor, combats poverty and promotes social cohesion. -
Divine command
The Quran repeatedly calls for prayer and zakat, thus forming a religious foundation.
Practical application: step-by-step
Asset & Liability Inventory: Calculate your total assets, including cash, the value of gold, real estate, and stocks, minus debt.
- Check nisab: compare with the current value of 87.5 g gold or 612 g silver.
- Annual period: count one full lunar year (although secular calendar is sometimes used).
- Niyyah (declaration of intention): preceding your donation with the intention that it be zakat.
- Paying 2.5%: on the total assets that are above nisab, and allocating it to authorized recipients, institutions or individuals according to the asnāf criteria.
In addition , Zakat al-Fitr is a separate minimum donation per person, paid around Eid.
Many Islamic charities offer the opportunity to donate Zajat al-Fitr through them.
Historical and contemporary context
In early Islamic society, reformers such as Caliph Abu Bakr regulated the collection and distribution of zakat — thus giving rise to the institution of Bayt al-Māl. Today, some states such as Saudi Arabia or Pakistan collect zakat through the government, while in many countries mosques or charitable organizations organize the process.
Conclusion
Zakat is much more than taxes or charity: it is a divine command, a spiritual act, and a social tool. By sharing wealth, the giver learns empathy and responsibility; the recipient receives recognition and support. Together, they form a dynamic system of justice, solidarity, and community building within the Ummah.
For anyone who wants to know more, there are online zakat calculators, fatwas from recognized scholars, and local zakat committees that are happy to help with calculations and distribution.