Zakah

All Muslims are expected to be charitable,which means
“generous and kind”. To a Muslim the word “charity” implies
any good deed that is done purely for the sake of God - and
not out of any selfish hope of getting some reward for it.
Any act of giving done out of compassion, love or generosity
(e.g. famine appeals) is called sadaqah.

1. What is the meaning of, “charitable” for Muslims?
2. What is Sadaqah?

Zakah is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a duty
performed on a regular basis. Zakah is not an option it is a
compulsory act for all Muslims. It is a contribution paid
once a year on savings of two and a half percent. This giving
is to “cleanse” your money and possessions from excessive
desire for them or greed. The idea is, that by giving this
money you learn not to place too much importance on material
wealth (cash and possessions).

3. What is Zakah?
4. What percentage of a Muslim’s income is Zakah?
5. What is a Muslim supposed to learn from his giving to
charity?
6. Considering what Muslims think about material wealth, why
might they find the Christian festival of Christmas
strange?7. Copy out the following passage filling in the
missing words.

_____ (ISMA).
The aims of _____ (ypangi) zakah are to keep your ____
(lthewa) free of _____ (eergd) and selfishness. It is also a
____ (sett) of Muslim honesty. Zakah tries to _____ (leanc)
the heart of ____ (evol) for money and the desire to cling
to __ (ti). Muslims believe that _____ (oneym) is for all
people and for bringing about justice in the ____ (lorwd).
_____ (Zhkaa) may only be used for certain set purposes:
    * to ____ (leph) the poor
    * to release ____ (morf) debt
    * to help _____ (eendy) travelers
    * to ____ (eerf) captives
    * to convert people to _____ (slmia)

Zakah is usually paid in secret so that rich people receive
no praise or admiration, since they are doing no more than
their duty; and poor people are not ashamed in receiving.
Muslims believe that people do not own anything, but are
loaned things in trust by God. So if anything is sacrificed
for God, it is only being given back to it’s rightful owner.

8. Why is Zakah given in secret?
9. What do Muslims believe about owning things?
10. What is the difference between zakah and sadaqah?
11. What reward do Muslims believe they will receive for
giving to charity? (The answer is not on the sheet use your
brain).
12. What do you think Muhammad meant by the quote above?
13. On a blank peice of paper, copy out the quote in big
colourful letters and decorate it.