Alms Giving

The third Pillar of Islam is Zakat, alms giving. Zakat literally means purification. It is both an act of self-purification and a social obligation. It purifies not only a person’s soul, but also what is given or distributed to people. It reminds Muslims that their wealth is a gift from God. They have an obligation to share that wealth with others.

Zakat and Salah are often mentioned in the same Quranic verse, reinforcing its significance. Indeed, an early Muslim proverb says “Prayer carries us half-way to God, fast brings us to the door of his palace, and alms procure for us admission”.

The Zakat is constituted of a 2.5 % tax on an individual’s total wealth and assets, not merely on annual income. Today, modern forms of wealth; banks accounts, real states, stocks, etc; are included. Zakat is not viewed as voluntary. It is not simply a voluntary charity, it is an obligation. All those who received from God have an obligation to give back. It is a way of taking care of those who are poor, those who travel, those who are on pilgrimage and those who seek religious knowledge. Zakat functions as an informal social security system. It is a way in which the poor in society can receive help from those who are in a better situation.

In early Islamic times, the Zakat was collected by the government, held by central treasury, and used to help schools, hospitals, hostels and other expenses. In modern times, Zakat has been left to the conscience of individuals. Many people give it to poor members of the family and those in their surrounding areas. However, some governments in recent decades, like in Pakistan, have attempted to reintroduce the State collection and distribution of Zakat. Many people worry about how the government would actually use their taxes. Those who do not wish to pay all that they should be paying worry about the government going right into their bank accounts and taking the money.