RS24: Zakah and Khums

☪️ Zakah and Khums: Giving in Islam

📋 Zakah: How It Works

• Muslims calculate 2.5% of their savings, gold, silver and investments above the nisab (minimum threshold)
• Zakah must be given to specific categories: the poor, the needy, those in debt, new converts, travellers, those working to collect zakah, slaves buying freedom, and "in the cause of Allah"
• It purifies wealth — by giving away a portion, Muslims acknowledge that all wealth comes from Allah
• It redistributes wealth — reducing inequality and preventing hoarding
• It is different from sadaqah (voluntary charity) — zakah is compulsory, sadaqah is optional

📋 Khums (Shi'a Islam)

• Khums means "one fifth" — 20% of surplus income after expenses
• Split into two parts: Sahm al-Imam (half goes to the Imam/religious authority) and Sahm al-Sada (half goes to the poor, orphans and travellers)
• Shi'a Muslims pay khums in addition to zakah
• The money supports religious scholars, mosques, schools and charitable works

❓ Practice Questions

✅ Answers

1. 1) Zakah purifies wealth — by giving away 2.5% of their surplus, Muslims acknowledge that all wealth ultimately belongs to Allah and they are merely its stewards. Hoarding wealth is condemned in the Qur'an. 2) Zakah reduces inequality — it redistributes wealth from the rich to the poor, ensuring everyone's basic needs are met. This creates a more just and caring society and prevents the extreme poverty that damages the ummah.

🎯 Exam Tips

• Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders)
• Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions
• Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life)
• For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion
• Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society
• Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view

📝 Exam Technique

⚠️ Common Errors

✍️ Model Answer

📊 AO Deep Dive

📖 Detailed Notes: Zakah and Khums

💡 Zakah: The Third Pillar of Islam

Zakah is the compulsory giving of 2.5% of a Muslim’s surplus wealth each year to those in need. It is the third Pillar of Islam and is not a voluntary charity — it is a religious duty and a form of worship, as fundamental as prayer and fasting. The word ‘zakah’ means ‘purification’ — Muslims believe that giving away a portion of their wealth purifies what remains by acknowledging that all wealth ultimately belongs to Allah. The Qur’an warns: “And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah — give them tidings of a painful punishment” (Surah 9:34). Zakah is calculated on wealth held for a full lunar year above the nisab (the minimum threshold), which is approximately the value of 85 grams of gold. It applies to savings, investments, business stock and gold, but not to the value of a person’s home or everyday possessions.

The Qur’an specifies eight categories of people eligible to receive zakah: the poor (fuqara), the needy (masakin), those who administer the zakah, those whose hearts are to be reconciled (new Muslims or those considering Islam), those in bondage (to free slaves or prisoners), those in debt, those serving in the cause of Allah, and travellers in need (Surah 9:60). In practice, in the UK today, zakah is typically distributed through Islamic charities such as Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid and the National Zakat Foundation, which use the funds to support poor and needy people both in Britain and worldwide. The National Zakat Foundation reported distributing over £3 million in the UK in 2023, supporting refugees, the homeless and families in crisis.

🔍 Khums in Shi’a Islam

Khums (meaning ‘one-fifth’) is a religious tax in Shi’a Islam amounting to 20% of a person’s surplus annual income. Unlike zakah, which is distributed directly to the poor, khums is split into two equal portions: Sahm al-Imam (the Imam’s share, currently received by senior Shi’a clerics or marja) and Sahm al-Sada (the share of the Sayyids — descendants of the Prophet through his daughter Fatimah and Imam Ali). The Sahm al-Imam is used for religious education, maintaining mosques and Islamic institutions, supporting missionary work and providing for the general welfare of the community. The Sahm al-Sada is distributed to poor descendants of the Prophet who are not permitted to receive zakah.

The practice of khums is rooted in the Qur’an: “And know that whatever you gain, one-fifth of it belongs to Allah, the Messenger, the near relatives, the orphans, the needy and the wayfarer” (Surah 8:41). While Sunni Muslims interpret this verse as applying only to wartime spoils, Shi’a scholars interpret it more broadly as applying to all surplus income, making it a permanent financial obligation. The difference between zakah (2.5%) and khums (20%) means that Shi’a Muslims who observe both obligations contribute a significantly larger proportion of their income to religious and charitable purposes. In the UK, Shi’a communities typically channel khums through their marja (religious authority), who oversees its distribution.

⚖️ Charity and Social Justice in the British Muslim Community

British Muslims are among the most generous charitable givers in the country. A 2020 study by the Institute for Social Policy Research found that British Muslims gave an average of £371 per person per year to charity, more than any other religious or non-religious group. Much of this giving occurs during Ramadan, when both zakah and voluntary sadaqah are emphasised. Islamic Relief UK raises approximately £40 million annually, Muslim Aid raises approximately £30 million, and numerous smaller charities and mosques collect significant sums. The British Muslim community also supports a wide range of domestic causes, including food banks, homeless shelters and refugee support services, demonstrating that charity begins at home as well as abroad.

The concept of sadaqah (voluntary charity) extends beyond financial giving. The Prophet Muhammad said: “Your smile for your brother is charity” (Hadith), meaning that acts of kindness, helping others and even a friendly word are forms of sadaqah. Sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) refers to contributions that continue to benefit people over time, such as building a well, funding a school or planting a tree. Many British Muslims contribute to sadaqah jariyah projects through charities such as Penny Appeal, which builds water wells in Africa and Asia. The Islamic principle that charity should be given discreetly (so as not to embarrass the recipient) is emphasised in the Qur’an: “If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you” (Surah 2:271).

📊 Zakah and Khums Compared

❓ Additional Practice Questions

✅ Additional Answers

1. Zakah is compulsory — it is the third Pillar of Islam, requiring Muslims to give 2.5% of surplus wealth annually. It is a religious duty, a form of worship, and a right of the poor. Sadaqah is voluntary charity given out of generosity and compassion, in any amount and at any time. Both are important because zakah ensures systematic redistribution of wealth that reduces inequality, while sadaqah expresses the individual Muslim’s generosity and compassion. The Prophet said: “Charity does not decrease wealth” (Sahih Muslim), meaning that giving enriches the giver spiritually. Together, zakah and sadaqah create a comprehensive system of social welfare within the Muslim community.
2. On one hand, zakah systematically redistributes wealth from the rich to the poor, with 2.5% of surplus wealth flowing annually to eight categories of recipients. It is obligatory, ensuring a reliable income stream for charitable purposes, and it purifies wealth by acknowledging Allah’s ultimate ownership. On the other hand, 2.5% may not be sufficient to close the wealth gap — some argue that a higher rate (such as khums at 20%) would be more effective. Additionally, zakah depends on honest self-assessment, and not all Muslims may calculate and pay it correctly. A balanced view is that zakah is an important mechanism for reducing inequality within the Muslim community, but it works best alongside other forms of support, including sadaqah, state welfare and social policy.

📝 Exam Questions by Topic

• AQA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- AQA
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• OCR Past Papers - Topic Questions -- OCR
• Eduqas Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Eduqas
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🎬 Video Resources

• BBC Bitesize - Islam
• Religious Studies YouTube

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