Quiz What is Salah? Name the daily prayers. What is Wudu? How do Muslims call for prayer? Name some prayers other than obligatory prayers. What 3 times are forbidden to pray? Why a Muslim must pray? Give 3 reasons. Where to face during prayer? What image of God establishes during prayer? Describe the significance of Salah.

Note key information Skimming page 41-43

What Why When Where Who Wealth that zakah is paid over it Money that zakah isn’t paid over it How

Zakah Purpose of lesson Understand the significance of Zakah as an expression of Islamic belief

What is Zakah? An obligatory duty of Islam: Wealth is given by God, must be shared for the benefits of humanity as a part of ibadah. Zakah began in Medina; ‘They ask thee what they should spend. Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good,-(Allah) knoweth it well.’ (s2 v215) ‘Zakat al fitr’ is paid to the destitute before Muslims festival to let them share the celebration. ‘Zakah al Adha’ sacrifice meat for the poor. Sadaqah – (voluntary) an act of giving from compassion, love or generosity.

How wealth is protected by spending? What does Zakah mean? The 3rd pillar closely connected with Salah. The word Zakah means ‘purification’ – wealth can be an evil thing without being spent in the name of God. “It is source of securing purification…..Both prayers and zakah are calculated to purify men” (A K Brohi) ‘Protect your property by giving Zakah and help your relatives to recover from disease by giving charity’. (Hadith) How wealth is protected by spending? Zakah is also a religious duty and a sign of submission to God. The Qur’an does not specify how much so Muslims need to refer to Sunnah to know the exact process of paying Zakah.

How Zakah is worked out? The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before they become eligible to pay Zakat. This amount is often referred to as the Nisab threshold. Gold and silver are the two values used to calculate the Nisab threshold. The Nisab is the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. This applies to cash, bank savings and jewellery as well The Qur’an does not specify how much exactly should be paid; “Whatever ye spend is good” (s2 v215) Contribution of savings for trader is 2.5% after a year, agricultural Zakah is 10% of produce, non-irrigated land 5%, Cattle Zakah vary from animal to animal. Shi’a Muslims give 1/5th (20%) of their savings to their Imam which is called Khums. Muslim charity organisations collect zakah and sadaqa in the UK& EU

Why Zakah? Zakah is a religious duty performed regularly, this is not charity, Sharing and distribution of wealth as a gift of God and a sign of Muslim brotherhood. All Muslim states must enforce Zakah to narrow the gap between rich and poor. This cleanses their money and possessions from excessive desire or greed.

Why Zakah? It serves humanity and promotes good and justice around the world. “Zahah is commanded 32 times in the Qur’an” (50 Ideas of Islam; M Siddiqui) “Have you seen the one who denies the Judgement to come? Then such is the man who repulses the orphan and encourages not the feeding of the indigent.” (s107 v1-3) Hadith, ‘ He is not a believer who eats his full while his neighbour remains hungry by his side’.

Where does the Zakah go? To help the poor, the needy, orphans, widows and homeless Those who employed to collect Zakah To those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to the Truth To free the captives- slaves To release from bondage and debt To the needy travellers / wayfarers Ref; The Qur’an [S9 V60] [Muslim economy – social welfare and fair distribution of wealth.]

Mona Siddiqui ‘Zakat, commonly translated as ‘almsgiving’ or ‘alms tax,’ is the third pillar of Islam Prayer and Zakat are frequently mentioned in the Qu’ran as the two principal obligations in Islam. Zakat is not meant to be a solitary act, given in some void from one believer to another; it was always seen as the concrete expression of faith (iman) to help the poor and needy, and to contribute to social justice in the Muslim community.’ (50 Ideas to know…ISLAM)

Significance of Zakah… Think

What have you learnt? What is Zakah? Who is supposed to pay Zakah? How zakah is calculated? What type of people can receive Zakah? Why a Muslim must pay Zakah?

Discuss these quotes on your desk. He who eats and drinks whilst his brother is hungry is not one of us (true believer). (Hadith) Give from your wealth to relatives, orphans, and to the needy… (The Qur’an)

Assess Muslim response to poverty. (12) Question Assess Muslim response to poverty. (12)