zakat

American  

[zuh-kaht] / zəˈkɑt /

Also zakah

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.

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zakat British  

/ zaˈkat /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of zakat

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zakat

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.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2024

Their desire to keep their assistance local is based on Islamic teaching that “you should try to give zakat by hand,” said Mr. Khan.

From New York Times ● Apr. 29, 2022

It isn’t required to pay zakat during Ramadan, but many Muslims choose to do so because of the month’s spiritual rewards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2022

Altogether, some $200 billion to $1 trillion is donated annually in the form of zakat.

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2018

“Just do zakat, give the money to someone in need, okay? No sheep kill­ing.”

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

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