Understanding Zakat: The Third Pillar of Islam

Zakat is a fixed charitable payment. Zakat means 'purification' or 'growth' in Arabic. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Every eligible Muslim must give 2.5% of their qualifying wealth each year to specific categories of people in need. Unlike voluntary charity (Sadaqah), Zakat is obligatory. It has strict rules about who must pay, what wealth counts, and who can receive it. Zakat is not simply about helping others—it is a religious duty owed to Allah.

Zakat serves two essential purposes. First, Zakat purifies your wealth. Islam teaches that everything you own is a trust from Allah. By giving Zakat, you acknowledge this and cleanse what remains. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Zakat purifies the soul from greed and attachment to material possessions. Second, Zakat creates social justice. It redistributes wealth from those who have surplus to those who are struggling. This prevents wealth from concentrating in the hands of a few and ensures the community supports its most vulnerable members. Zakat is not charity—it is a right that the poor have over the wealthy.

You must meet specific conditions before Zakat is due. To owe Zakat, you must be: (1) Muslim, (2) sane and of age, (3) in possession of wealth above the nisab threshold, and (4) have held that wealth for one full lunar year (hawl). The nisab is based on the value of gold or silver and changes with market prices. Zakat is calculated at 2.5% of your qualifying wealth. This includes cash, savings, gold, silver, business assets, and investments. It does not include your home, car, or personal belongings. Once you know your total zakatable wealth, you multiply it by 0.025 to find what is due.