zakat

Also za·kah
Also

[zuh-kaht]

noun

Islam.

1. a tax, comprising percentages of personal income of every kind, levied as almsgiving for the relief of poor people: the third of the Pillars of Islam.

zakat

/ zaˈkat /

noun

1. Islam an annual tax on Muslims to aid the poor in the Muslim community

Word History and Origins

Origin of zakat¹

First recorded in 1800–05; from Turkish zekât or Persian zakāt, from Arabic zakāh

Word History and Origins

Origin of zakat¹

from Arabic zakāt alms

Example Sentences

One day, a group of militants phoned him and demanded he pay zakat—an Islamic tithe—in the amount of $1,000.

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The other pillars are the profession of faith, prayer five times a day, zakat - a form of charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca once in their lifetime.

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It is during Ramadan that many Pakistanis donate their religiously prescribed yearly zakat, or alms, often giving them to charitable organizations that prepare ration packets for distribution among the poor.

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"I know about zakat," said Belet, referring to the obligation to help the needy.

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Doing good deeds or giving zakat during Ramadan is considered especially holy, particularly during the month’s final 10 days, when Muslims believe God revealed the text of the Quran to the prophet Mohamed.

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