The word · Worship
زَكاة
Zakat
The yearly obligatory share of qualifying wealth, normally 2.5 percent, given to those entitled to it.
Also written · Zakah · Zakaat · Zaka · Zekat · Zakat al-mal · Zakaah · alms · poor due · obligatory charity
The meaning
What Zakat means in Islam
The word carries both purification and growth. Zakat is the third pillar, and the Qur'an names it beside the prayer again and again. It is due on savings, gold, silver and trade goods held for a lunar year above the nisab, at one fortieth of their value, while crops, livestock and mined wealth have their own rates. It is a debt owed to specific people, not a donation the giver may direct wherever they wish.
Evidence · Qur’an · Stated directly in the Qur’an
Read beside it
Rooms that name it
Words that sit beside it
- NisabThe minimum amount of wealth a person must hold before zakat becomes due on it.نِصاب
- HawlThe full lunar year that wealth must be held above the nisab before zakat falls due on it.حَوْل
- AsnafThe eight groups the Qur'an names as the only lawful recipients of zakat.الأَصْنافُ الثَّمانِيَة
- SadaqahVoluntary giving, of any amount and at any time, to anyone in need.صَدَقَة
- Zakat al-FitrA small measure of staple food given for every household member before the Eid al-Fitr prayer.زَكاةُ الفِطْر
More from Worship
- AdhanThe call announcing that a prayer time has entered, given aloud before each obligatory prayer.أَذان
- HalqShaving the head after the rites, which releases the pilgrim from the state of ihram.حَلْق
- KaffarahA fixed expiation owed for certain deliberate breaches, heavier than simply making the act up.كَفّارَة
- NiyyahThe intention in the heart that turns an ordinary act into an act of worship.نِيَّة
- Salat al-EidThe two rak'ah prayer on the morning of the two Eids, with extra takbirs and a sermon after.صَلاةُ العيد
- TahallulComing out of ihram, so that what was forbidden during it becomes permitted again.تَحَلُّل