Islam and Charity

DIRECTIONS: Read the following excerpt and answer the accompanying questions.

EXPLORE THE CONTEXT: The following text is from "The Five Principles of Islam and their Significance." It specifically explains Islam's final principle, zakat, or the giving of alms.

VOCABULARY: optional: voluntary ultimate: essential inclined: tend to take a particular action fancies: desires or whims institution: organization or society systemize: to develop a method, order, or regularity

EXCERPT "Now I come to the last and fifth principle of Islam, which has been promulgated [declared] by the Holy Qur'an in the terms of Zakat [poor-rates] or Sadaquat [alms]. Every Muslim is expected to take a stock of his savings every year and to disburse [hand out] 2 1/2 percent of this as "alms." Charity in Islam takes two different forms: one is optional and the other compulsory [required], which is also called zakat. When asked as to what was the ultimate object of zakat, the Holy Prophet replied that it was a means whereby the rich had to give something out of their wealth for the help of those who are in need. The Holy Qur'an has laid down eight different purposes for the expenditure [spending] of this zakat money. It says: "Alms are only for the poor, the needy, the officials appointed over them, those whose hearts are made inclined to truth, the ransoming of captives, those in debt, in the way of Allah and the wayfarer.'

It is Islam that has given charity the prestige [respect] and form of an institution. Before the advent [founding] of Islam the followers of other religions used to do charitable deeds on their own personal fancies and had no organization. But the Holy Prophet, whose aim was to systemize the religion and make it a living force in the civilization of mankind, laid down rules and regulations for charity, so that the general welfare of the society may be achieved."

--from "The Five Principle's of Islam and their Significance" by Maulvi Mustafakhan, The Islamic Review, Vol IX No.6 (June-July 1921)

Is this a primary source or a secondary source? How do you know?

Who is expected to pay zakat?

Why do you think this group was singled out for observing this principle?

What are some of the purposes of zakat?

What is the larger benefit to paying zakat?

Explain why Mustafakhan believes "It is Islam that has given charity the prestige [respect]and form of an institution."

Why is zakat such an important principle in the Islamic faith?