Zakah and Khums

Question 1

What is zakah?

Answer 1

3rd pillar - annual tzx on wealth

Question 2

What dictates how much wealth should be paid?

Answer 2

Shari’ah- sets out a nisab (minimum people have to have before they pay zakah)
if have over nisab, pay 2.5% on earnings

Question 3

where is zakah paid to?

Answer 3

Muslims charities e.g. Islamis Relief, Muslim Aid

Question 4

What is zakah used for?

Answer 4

orphans, widows, poor, homeless etc

Question 5

Why do Muslims pay zakah?

Answer 5

• 3rd pillar
• sign of submission to God
• zakah means purification - wealth can be evil and cut people off from God, zakah purifies the wealth they have left

Question 6

What do Shi’a Muslims have in addition to zakah?

Answer 6

khums- one fifth of a gain

Question 7

Why do Shi’as have khums?

Answer 7

based on Surah 8:41
‘Know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah’

Question 8

What is khums applied to?

Answer 8

business profit - 20% paid as khums

Question 9

What is khums money used for?

Answer 9

half to poor, orphans and homeless, half to religious leaders and descendants of the Prophet

Question 10

Why do Sunnis not pay khums?

Answer 10

think Surah 8:41 only refers to the spoils of war

Question 11

SofA for zakah and khums

Answer 11

Surah 9:60 says zakah should be spent on the poor and needy
Muhammad said in a hadith that giving zakah protects a Muslim’s property and helps relatives to recover from disease
Surah 8:41: ‘Know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah’