Zakat

• For Muslims that have enough savings, they have to give 2.5% of their wealth to charity to help the poor.
• Zakah literally means to purify or cleanse.
• Zakah is given by Sunni Muslims.
• Nisab: a figure that tells a Muslim if they have enough money to give Zakah
• Zakah should only be given to the poor, needy, non-Muslims.
• Muslims are also encouraged to give Sadaqah. This is when Muslims voluntarily give their money and time to a charity at any point of the year.
• Zakah teaches Muslims self-discipline, honesty and frees people from desire.
• Zakah occurs once after a whole Islamic year.
• Kuhms occurs in Shi’a Islam. It literally means ‘one fifth’ and it is a requirement for Muslims to give 20% of their excess wealth (money left over after taxes etc) to the poor and religious leaders.