1. The third pillar of Islam: Zakat (charity)
"The good that you give should be to the parents, the close ones, the orphans, the needy and the homeless, and any good that you do, God is Knowledgeable thereof.” English translation of the Qur’an, Chapter 2: verse 215

2. Clarenceville Middle School background
Located in Livonia, MI (western suburb)
Grades 6-8
Number of students: 435
White:66.4%
African American: 20.5%
Hispanic: 6.2%
Free/discounted lunch recipients: 56.1%
*Of 127 students last year, I only had TWO Muslim students!*

3. 7th grade World History at Clarenceville Middle School
We study Islam mostly within the context of Unit 4, the Rise of Empires - specifically tied to the following curricular objectives:
W3.2 Growth and Development of World Religions
Explain how world religions or belief systems of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism and Islam grew and their significance. (Islam is included here even though it came after 300 C.E./A.D.)
7 – W3.2.1 Identify and describe the beliefs of the five major world religions.
7 – W3.2.2 Locate the geographical center of major religions and map the spread through the 3rd century C.E./A.D.
7 – W3.2.3 Identify and describe the ways that religions unified people’s perceptions of the world and contributed to cultural integration of large regions of Afro-Eurasia.

4. Think about your society and your community within it.
In what ways can your society and community be improved?
Go to and write a few phrases in response.

5. ZAKAT
What we have been discussing is what Muslims call zakat, or charity, and constitutes the third pillar of Islam.
‘Zakah,’ or ‘zakat’ ( الزكاة Arabic) literally means “increase,” “growth,” or “purification” Zakat is an annual obligation for Muslims - generally agreed upon as 2.5% of one’s standing wealth after a year’s income, given to people less fortunate. Zakat is traditionally paid during the holy month of Ramadan.

6. There are well-established guidelines for zakat, all of which are based on the Qur’an or interpretations thereof.
For the next 2-3 minutes or so, think of questions about zakat that may or may not have clear answers. Go to the padlet link that has been shared with you and put your questions up.
(For example, what are the conditions and exemptions for paying annual zakat?)

7. Activity #1: Mini-research project/s on ZAKAT
Choose a question from the padlet to do about 7-10 minutes of research on. You can work solo or with a partner.
On one of your devices, create 1-2 slides that explain what you found IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Be sure to include anything that surprised you. Make sure you include the website of where you found the information!
Be prepared to share your findings (=stand up and talk about it) with the class. (Rotating speed-dating stations, 4 minutes each...participants jot down 1-2 surprising things that they discovered from their colleagues.)
Upload your slides onto Google Classroom for the class to use as a resource.

8. Activity #2: Calculating zakat
As a Muslim, how do you determine how much ZAKAT you owe for the year?
Middle school worksheet link:
Salary/expense worksheets: qibdXGAVE6Kik0/edit
Follow the steps within one of the given websites:
Calculating zakat - a walk-through
Islamic Relief’s zakat calculator:
Note: This lesson can be used in conjunction with a math or economics mini-unit on personal expenses and budgeting

9. Current prices for gold and silver per ounce
NISAB (threshold of accumulated wealth that qualifies you from or excuses you for zakat payment) -
21 ounces of silver ($375) OR
3 ounces of gold ($3676)

10. Activity #3: Revisiting word cloud
Let’s revisit our word cloud from the beginning of this lesson. How does (or doesn’t) it line up with the Quran’s eight categories for zakat recipients?
The destitute (very poor)
The poor
Trusted charities
Anyone struggling for a righteous cause for Islam and/or charities
People burdened with debt
Displaced people in need of money
People in bondage or slavery
Those inclined towards Islam and need more encouragement
(Note: Sadaqa, another form of Muslim charity, can be given at any time throughout the year and to whomever is in need...sadaqa can also be non-monetary)
Possible Venn diagram activity here between our class’ ideas of worthy recipients of our attention vs. zakat recipients.

11. Resources on zakat
Effects of 9/11 on zakat practices in the US
(book review)
An introduction to zakat and its interpretations:
Zakat calculators

12. Works/images cited
Stats slide 2:
Image slide 1:
Quote slide 1:
(slide 1 quote)
(slide 5 image)
(slide 9 image)
(slide 9 image)