S1: Learning from Islam

Behaving virtuously: Zakat

Learning AimsAll should be able to explain what Zakat is. Most will be able to describe why Zakat is important.Some will be able to link Zakat to other Muslim Beliefs.

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is commonly referred to as charity but it actually means ‘purification’. It is called ‘purification’ because by giving up money each year Muslims remember those in need and ensure they are not greedy, it therefore helps to purify their souls.

Every year Muslims are encouraged to give 2.5% of their wealth to those who are most in need and to promote Islam.

Zakat helps to promote an equal society because it encourages wealthy people to share with those less fortunate. Muslims should remember that Allah owns everything and only lends people things while they are on this earth. If a Muslim misuses this wealth and their possessions they will be punished in hell. By sharing their money with others the poor do not envy the rich and the rich can escape feelings

of greed.

Zakat also promotes compassion towards others. It reminds a Muslim that there are people less fortunate than them.The money from Zakat should go to

the needy those promoting Islam those imprisoned for their beliefs those in debt.

Muslims should think of others and their struggles and help them.

The final important role of Zakat is trying to create a more just society. It is quite clear that we do not live in a society where everyone is treated fairly. Some people have more than others; some have access to the best wines whilst others struggle to access clean water. Some are paid richly for their work whilst others get by on £1 a day. Zakat tries to rebalance this unfairness by redistributing wealth and getting Muslims to think about how they treat others and recognise the unfairness that exists in the world so they can work towards creating a better society.

Your Tasks

Today’s Title: Zakat: The Third Pillar

Read (All the answers are in the text above, answer in full sentences and try and put the information in your own words)

1. What is Zakat? 2. How does Zakat promote an equal society? 3. List the 4 ways in which Zakat money should be spent.

S1: Learning from Islam

Think (Use your knowledge and apply it further. Answer in full sentences and add as much detail as possible)

4. If you earned £100,000 a year, how much money would you be expected to give yearly? 5. What other ways could you help others without spending money?

Create (Use what you have learned and create something new)

Choose one of the following tasks to complete.

a) Create an advertising poster which shows the positive benefit giving Zakat has on the rest of society.

b) Create a leaflet encouraging Muslims to give Zakat. Explain what the benefits are to the Muslim and how the giving of Zakat benefits society.

c) Write an acrostic poem on Zakat and the importance of giving. You could use the word CHARITY, EQUALITY or ZAKAT as your vertical word.

d) Create a guide to “How much Zakat you should be paying” – include a table that Muslims would be able to look up their annual income, how much they should be paying and how that works out each month. Use the average salaries of the jobs listed to add into your table. (you may want to research some other jobs) (See example below)

Annual Salary Annual Zakat Payment (2.5% of Annual Salary)

Monthly Zakat Payment (Annual Zakat Payment/12)

£24,000 (Police Officer) £600 £50

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers - £90,146 Train and tram drivers - £47,101Solicitors - £46,576Architects - £43,029Chartered and certified accountants - £38,692Veterinarians - £37,763Paramedics - £36,771Journalists, newspaper and periodical editors - £34,639Secondary education teaching professionals - £32,524

Midwives - £29,529Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers - £27,330Nurses - £26,252Bricklayers and masons - £24,790Chefs - £17,513School secretaries - £16,366Beauticians - £11,618

Bar staff - £7,404

Glossary

Purification - the process of making something spiritually or ceremonially clean. Zakat – The third pillar of Islam. Involves the donation of 2.5% of a person’s wealth to charity.

Compassion – Showing concern for the misfortune of others.

Just – Fair and Equal