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Zakat is the Third Pillar of Islam. The word comes from the Arabic root "Zaka" or "Zakah", which means "to purify" or "to increase". This name tells us exactly what Zakat does — it purifies a Muslim's wealth and purifies the heart from greed and excessive love of money.
Zakat is not simply a charity that someone can choose to give or skip. It is a compulsory religious duty — a form of worship that every qualifying Muslim must fulfil. It is mentioned 32 times in the Quran, very often alongside Salat (prayer), which shows how important it is in Islam.
Important: Zakat is not a government tax. The State cannot take it and spend it on its own projects or policies. It has a specific purpose and specific recipients laid down by Allah SWT.
The system of Zakat began in Makkah before the Hijrat (migration to Madinah) and was made obligatory in 2 A.H.
Not every Muslim must pay Zakat. There are three conditions that must all be met:
| Condition | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Must be Muslim | Zakat is a religious duty for Muslims only. |
| Must be an Adult | Children are not required to pay. |
| Must own Nisab for one year | A person must own wealth equal to or above the minimum threshold (Nisab) continuously for one full lunar year. |
📌 What is Nisab? Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must own before Zakat becomes obligatory. Once a person reaches this level, they are called a Sahib-e-Nisab — someone upon whom Zakat is now due.
Zakat is not a fixed lump sum. The amount depends on what type of wealth a person owns. Below are the different rates:
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