theme 3- religious life

Question 1

different types of giving

Answer 1

• zakat
• sadaqat
• khums

Question 2

zakat

Answer 2

the annual donation of 2.5% of an individuals wealth and assets.

Question 3

sadaqat

Answer 3

voluntary giving. it is giving in excess of zakat.

Question 4

khums

Answer 4

popular in shia’ism and denotes giving 20% of wealth

Question 5

Nisab

zakat

Answer 5

it is a threshold, referring to the minimum amount of wealth and possessions that a muslim must own before being obligated to pay zakat.

Question 6

who is the zakat for?

Answer 6

the poor and needy

Question 7

the poor and needy are those…

zakat

Answer 7

• who ‘may have some wealth and funds but its not enough’
• the distribute who ‘have no wealth or funds, living their life on the very basics necessities of life’
• people who collect zakat and distribute it
• converts to islam
• people in debt who cant repay it
• people on journeys who have run out of money.

Question 8

what zakat cant be used for

Answer 8

• building a mosque
• to bury the dead
• to clear the debt of one that has died

Question 9

what other importance does zakat hold in Islam?

Answer 9

it is the fourth pillar of islamic teaching

Question 10

zakat is also understood to be…

Answer 10

an act that purifies, it is defined as ‘giving for the sake of purification’

this is based on surah 9:103 which reads: ‘of their goods, take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them ;and pray on their behalf. verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: and Allah is one who heareth and knoweth.

Question 11

ways to pay zakat

Answer 11

• paid with cash
• a herd of animal
• a date crop

Question 12

why is sadaqat encouraged?

Answer 12

it is encouraged as it is seen as an act that brings merit and spiritual benefit when practised on a regular basis, incurring divine favour and an investment in one’s future in preparation for the afterlife.

Question 13

difference between Khums and Zakat.

Answer 13

• khums means a ‘fifth’

- it is much broader than zakat, it is more specifically defined than just surplus income.

Question 14

what does Khums cover?

Answer 14

• business investment
• trading
• agriculture
• savings and earnings
• inheritance
• gifts
• lottery wins

Question 15

reasons for giving in Islam

Answer 15

• obedience to the wishes of Allah
• compassion for others
• personal sacrifice through prioritising Allah and others before oneself
• the individual and communal benefits of physical and spiritual rewards

Question 16

the impact of giving on the ummah

Answer 16

• all needs are met, no matter how poor
• equality and unity is achieved
• the aims of the ummah (‘brotherhood’) achieved
• as in the time of muhammed, widows and orphans are not neglected
• it creates a sense of communal spirituality

Question 17

riba

Answer 17

interest. this is prohibited in islam