Zakat is the third of the Five Pillars — an obligatory share of one's wealth given each year to those in need. In the Quran it is paired again and again with prayer, making worship of God and care for others two sides of one faith.
"Islam is built upon five [pillars]: … the giving of zakat …"
— Sahih al-Bukhari 81
"And establish prayer and give zakat."
— Quran 2:110 (Saheeh International)5
Purifying wealth
The word zakat carries the sense of purification and growth. By giving a portion away, a Muslim purifies the rest of their wealth and their heart from greed:
"Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase."
— Quran 9:103 (Saheeh International)2
Muslims are also taught to give from what is good, not what they would not accept themselves:
"O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned."
— Quran 2:267 (Saheeh International)4
How much, and for whom
In Islamic law, zakat is a fixed annual portion — most commonly 2.5% — of the wealth a person has saved above a minimum threshold.678 The Quran specifies who may receive it:
"Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect it … and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler."
— Quran 9:60 (Saheeh International)3
Zakat is distinct from sadaqah, which is voluntary charity a Muslim may give any time, in any amount.
In short
Zakat is the obligatory charity of Islam: a fixed yearly portion of one's savings, given to the poor and others in need. It purifies wealth, restrains greed, and binds the community together in shared responsibility.