Zakah - paying 2.5% of your money to the poor

Zakah is the third pillar of Islam and like all the pillars it is compulsory for Muslims.  Zakah is paid once a year.  Shariah law teaches that a Muslim should pay zakah on their income and on their savings.  Zakah is paid to the mosque.  This is what it should be used on,

• To help the poor
  
• To help orphans and widows
  
• To pay for mosques and mosque school (madrasahs)
  
• To pay for the cost of speading the message of Islam
  

If you are asked to explain beliefs about zakah you need to consider why Muslims give. A variety of reasons are given in the bullet points below, 

• Muslims believe that zakah contributes towards equality.  The rich become a little poorer and the poor become a little richer
  
• Muslims believe zakah purifies their money.  Through giving they are reminded to worship Allah, not money
  
• The Qur'an commands giving zakah
  
• Allah is concerned for the poor and needy
• Being part of the ummah means helping one another in practical ways

A second type of Muslim giving is called sadaqah.  Zakah is compulsory (you have to do it) but sadaqah is voluntary.  Muslims believe that Allah wants them to be generous and give what they can spare. This supports Muslims beliefs in the ummah and in the equality of everyone.