What is the Arabic term for the annual charity given by Muslims?

Answer Details

Zakah is the Arabic term for the annual obligatory charity that every qualifying Muslim must pay. It is the third pillar of Islam and is mentioned alongside prayer (Salah) in numerous verses of the Qur'an, emphasising its importance. Zakah literally means "purification" or "growth," reflecting the belief that paying it purifies one's wealth and increases blessings.

Zakah is calculated as 2.5% of a Muslim's accumulated wealth that has been held for one full lunar year and exceeds the minimum threshold (nisab). It is distributed to eight categories of recipients specified in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60), including the poor, the needy, and those in debt.

The other terms have distinct meanings. Sadaqah is voluntary charity given at any time and in any amount - it is not obligatory and has no fixed rate. Jizyah is a tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects (dhimmis) living under Islamic governance in exchange for protection and exemption from military service. Khums refers to a one-fifth tax, primarily observed in Shia jurisprudence, on certain types of surplus income.