zakah / almsgiving

• almsgiving 


  a key practice in islam. giving alms means giving to those in need e.g money and food
• zakah 


  third pillar of islam which means the giving of money to the poor

  muslims have to give 2.5% of their savings each year to the poor
• khums


  20% tax on annual surplus income and is given to the poor and to religious leaders
• importance of zakah 


  • commanded in the quran
  • giving zakah is a true muslim
  • teaches self discipline
• khums in shia islam


  • a duty for shia muslims in addition to giving zakah
  • means one fifth
  • 20% of their excess income goes to charity