Does Islam require you to give to charity?

[therebbe]

In Judaism we must give a minimum of 10% of our income to Charity which is known as giving "Tzedakah"

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Tzedakah means "charity" in Hebrew but comes from the root word of Justice.


Judaism is very tied to the concept of tzedakah, or charity, and the nature of Jewish giving has created a North American Jewish community that is very philanthropic. Because Judaism puts emphasis on the doing of good deeds, one's acts of righteousness are extremely important in living a sacred life. Because the second highest level of tzedakah is giving anonymously to an unknown recipient, anonymous donations are especially common in the Jewish community.



My question is basically. Does Islam require you to give charity?

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[Muhammad]

Greetings,

As you might be aware, Islam is based upon five pillars, which every Muslim is required to fulfill. The third pillar is charity, which is called 'Zakah'.

The following is a bit more information about it, from www.beconvinced.com:

The word Zakah means purification and growth. Our possessions are purified by setting aside that portion of it for those in need. Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakah individually.

For most purposes this involves the payment each year of 2.5% of one's capital, provided that this capital reaches a certain minimum amount that which is not consumed by its owner. A generous person can pay more than this amount, though it is treated and rewarded as voluntary charity (Sadaqah). This amount of money is provided to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and can be used in many useful projects for the welfare of the community.

We also have the following threads on the subject:

http://www.islamicboard.com/discover-islam/27096-what-zakah.html

http://www.islamicboard.com/ramadan-eid-ul-fitr/6616-zakah-charity-signs-gratitude.html

Peace.

 

[therebbe]

which is called 'Zakah'.

Sounds close to "Tzedakah"... maybe I am just imagining it though. lol.

 

[Woodrow]

Sounds close to "Tzedakah"... maybe I am just imagining it though. lol.

Very close. Many words in Arabic, Hebrew and Aramaic are either identical or very similar.. In my opinion Aramaic seems to be the closest to both, sort of a bridge between Arabic and Hebrew. The 3 languages have the same root. We all came from the Family of Abrahim so at one time we spoke one language. It would be a matter of belief as to which came first. That would be a totaly seperate subject.

Now getting back on Topic. Yes we do give Zakat.

 

[QuranStudy]

Sounds close to "Tzedakah"... maybe I am just imagining it though. lol.

Alot of Hebrew words sound alot like their Arabic counterpart.

btw, do Jews say "Moses" or "Musa?"

 

[therebbe]

btw, do Jews say "Moses" or "Musa?"

Neither. We say "Moshe". American-Christian media though refers to him as "Moses"... but in the Torah he is always called "Moshe"



It would be pronounced like this:

"Mo-Sh-Eh"

 

[جوري]

Sounds close to "Tzedakah"... maybe I am just imagining it though. lol.

"Tzedakah" is also close to another Arabic word called "sadaqa" which also means charity!

 

[therebbe]

"Tzedakah" is also close to another Arabic word called "sadaqa" which also means charity!

Well since I have been on this site I have seen that it is very apparent that Hebrew and Arabic were very close to eachother. I knew this before, but did not think that it was to the extent that it is.

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

Well since I have been on this site I have seen that it is very apparent that Hebrew and Arabic were very close to eachother. I knew this before, but did not think that it was to the extent that it is.

There's also navi and nabi

 

[abdmez]

give a minimum of 10% of our income

10%!!! That is a lot!

 

[جوري]

أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُبْطِلُواْ صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالأذَى كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاء النَّاسِ وَلاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا لاَّ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ {264}
[Yusufali 2:264] O ye who believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury,- like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject faith.

 

[abdmez]

Another thing which I see respectable in tsedukah is that they are encouraged to give to charity annonymously. So they arent doing it to be known.

 

[syilla]

but most of the ppl forgot and couldn't care less about zakah property. They tend to work and find as much money as they can, accumulate it...but they don't do the 3rd pillar.

They maybe rich...but no berkah...

 

[Woodrow]

but most of the ppl forgot and couldn't care less about zakah property. They tend to work and find as much money as they can, accumulate it...but they don't do the 3rd pillar.

They maybe rich...but no berkah...

Sadly I have to agree. Yet, it seems the ones with the least give more and give freely.

 

[lavikor201]

Rebbe, who do you give your Tzedakah to? I ususally give 5% of my income for soup kitchens, and the other 5% of my income to shelters for homeless.

 

[north_malaysian]

The word Tzedakah sounds like "sadaqah" (in Arabic) or "sedekah" (in Malay) which also means charity....

"Zakah" is "alms-giving" right..... While "sadaqah" is "charity".... Even smiling to someone, it's considered as "sadaqah".

 

[Zulkiflim]

Salaam,

Ilove one saying of the Prophet.

Correct me if i am wrong..

It is you give with your right hand wihout your left hand knowing..

So you give wihout thinking and wihout other knowing,if you give by showing it to all,the purpose is to show off..

When you give out of Allah grace to you then it is all the better.

 

[therebbe]

Rebbe, who do you give your Tzedakah to? I ususally give 5% of my income for soup kitchens, and the other 5% of my income to shelters for homeless.

I usually give 7%-8% to organizations trying to research for cancer, and around 2%-3% to stoping Aids in Africa.

 

[north_malaysian]

I usually give 7%-8% to organizations trying to research for cancer, and around 2%-3% to stoping Aids in Africa.

wow jews are charitable people!!!!:thankyou: :thankyou: :thankyou:

I only donate 1.67% of my salary to WWF Malaysia..

 

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

Sadly I have to agree. Yet, it seems the ones with the least give more and give freely.

Very true..less greedy. But i know for a fact if i was rich, id never forget my duty.(i hope so lol)
I give as much as i can. When i get money on Eid or my bday.. i give it to charity. Sometimes itll jus be sittin there..im not much of a spender.