Islamiyat · May / June 2025 · Paper 21 · Question 5

Write a detailed account of the Pillar of alms-giving (zakat) giving its benefits.

Use AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates can explain the term zakat, saying it means purification and is a means by which Muslims purify their wealth and their heart from the love of money and greed.

They can go on to say that it is an obligation which was imposed on previous nations as well and how God has promised great reward to those who fulfil this obligation. Well-developed answers may well elaborate on this part of the answer saying that the money paid in zakat is not something that God needs or receives: He is free of all dependency.

Zakat is due if one’s assets equal or exceed the nisab level for one whole year. Who is liable to pay zakat can be answered by writing about the nisab by means of which zakat is calculated. Candidates can list the people to whom zakat can and cannot be paid to and write about the types of wealth that come under zakat and the rate of zakat on them.

Candidates need to write about the benefits of giving zakat as well, such as the following: it is fulfilling a Pillar of Islam which is compulsory on those who can pay it; it frees a Muslim from greed and love of money; it helps in earning forgiveness of sins; it helps Muslims to learn about the laws of God because they cannot pay zakat unless they know and understand the rulings on zakat. Benefits of giving zakat to the society could also be included in the answer. For example: by giving zakat poverty is removed from society as people can meet their needs; it removes the economic imbalance from society, making it safe as people are less likely to commit crimes to fulfil their needs.

In your opinion does the giving of zakat benefit the individual more or the society? Give reasons for your answer.

Use AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates need to give reasons for who in their opinion benefits more by the giving of zakat, the individual or the society. They could hold the opinion that both benefit from its giving. Whatever their viewpoint is they need to state it and support it with sound reasoning.

They could say that it makes an individual realise that their wealth is a gift from God which they need to share with the less fortunate in society, making them humble and compassionate.

They could say that society is prosperous as a whole as nobody is left behind hence it becomes peaceful, and crime is reduced.

They could develop the answer by saying how in the caliphate of ‘Umar the community was so peaceful due to the economic balance in society that there were not many people needing zakat funds.

All valid reasons to be credited.