Zakat: The Third Pillar of Islam

Obligation

Zakat (الزكاة) is the obligatory annual alms-tax, the third pillar of Islam. The word means both 'purification' and 'growth,' indicating that giving away a portion of wealth purifies the remainder and causes it to grow in blessing. It is mentioned alongside salah over thirty times in the Quran: 'And establish prayer and give zakat' (Quran 2:43).

Conditions

Zakat becomes obligatory when: the individual is Muslim, free, and possesses wealth above the nisab threshold for a full lunar year. The nisab is the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. The standard rate is 2.5% of qualifying wealth.

Types of Zakatable Wealth

Gold and silver: Including cash, savings, and jewelry (according to the Hanafi school; the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools exempt personal-use jewelry). Trade goods: Inventory held for sale. Agricultural produce: 10% for rain-fed crops, 5% for irrigated crops (no one-year holding period). Livestock: Camels, cattle, and sheep that graze freely, each with specific nisab thresholds. Minerals and treasure: 20% on found treasure (rikaz).

Recipients

The Quran specifies eight categories in Surah at-Tawbah 9:60: the poor, the needy, zakat collectors, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing slaves, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the stranded traveler. Zakat cannot be given to one's parents, children, spouse, or non-Muslims (according to the majority).