What is Zakah?
Zakah is an obligatory form of "charity" expected from every Muslim individual. This form of "charity" is an act of worship and a form of social investment. Zakah is one the five pillars or fundamentals of Islam. The remaining pillars are the Shahadah (profession of faith), performing daily Salat (prayers), fasting and pilgrimage to Makkah. Zakah is considered an important economic tool in an Islamic State or society. It provides a religiously approved method of managing the economy and finance. Zakah has also been scrupulously prescribed in the Holy Qur'an (where it is mentioned in 30 verses of the Holy Qur'an) and Al Hadeeth.