Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a form of charity, that is obligatory on all those who meet the requirements. The word Zakat means ‘to cleanse’. Zakat is a means to purify one’s wealth and build a stronger connection with Allah. Giving Zakat to our needy brothers and sisters not only purifies the wealth and the heart but also creates barakah. The practice of giving Zakat is our way of acknowledging our gratitude to Allah for all His blessing and that good fortune is to be shared.
Zakat is only compulsory on the people who meet the threshold set for Nisab*. It is essential for anyone to give 2.5% of their wealth in Zakat if, they have possessed wealth over the threshold of Nisab for a whole year.