Knowra Zakat Zakat Zakat is an obligatory form of almsgiving in Islam: eligible Muslims give prescribed shares of qualifying wealth to designated recipients. It is distinct from voluntary charity.
Nisab : The minimum amount of qualifying wealth a Muslim must own before zakat becomes due. Zakat is generally due only when qualifying wealth reaches this threshold.
Five Pillars of Islam : The five foundational acts of worship and practice in Sunni Islam. Zakat is one of these pillars, alongside prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and profession of faith.
Qur’an : The central scripture of Islam, regarded by Muslims as revelation to Muhammad. It commands zakat and identifies eligible recipient classes.
Sadaqah : Voluntary charitable giving in Islam, which may take forms beyond financial donations. Unlike obligatory zakat, sadaqah is generally voluntary and has no fixed wealth threshold.
Bayt al-mal : The public treasury of an Islamic state or community in classical Islamic governance. Historical treasuries collected and distributed zakat alongside other public revenues.
Hawl : The completion of a lunar year of ownership used as a condition for zakat on many forms of wealth. For many assets, the obligation depends on holding wealth above the nisab for this period.
Shahada : The Islamic profession of faith affirming God’s oneness and Muhammad’s prophethood. It is the first pillar in the framework that also includes zakat.
Hadith : Reports about Muhammad’s words, actions, and approvals, used as sources of Islamic teaching and law. Hadith reports supply details for zakat rules not fully specified in the Qur’an.
Khums : A one-fifth levy on specified gains, interpreted differently across Islamic legal traditions. Khums is a distinct obligation with a narrower basis and different legal treatment.
Islamic economics : The study and practice of economic arrangements informed by Islamic legal and ethical principles. Zakat is a central institution in accounts of redistribution within Islamic economics.
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