Charity (ZAKAH)

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to Allah and wealth is held by human beings in trust. The word Zakah means both 'purification' and 'growth' and forms the third pillar of Islam. Possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and and for society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim must calculate his or her own Zakah individually. This involves the annual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding such items as primary residence and transport.

An individual may also give as much as he or she pleases as Sadaqah. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning as shown by the following sayings. Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" Prophet Muhammad (p) replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of Propher Muhammad (p) said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if ne lacks that also?" Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act from doing charity." In another narration, a man asked Propher Muhammad (p) : "What (deeds) of Islam is good?" Propher Muhammad (p) replied, 'To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know." (Recorded in Saheeh Bukhari).