Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a compulsory donation to charity by all Muslims who reach the minimum threshold for payment.
Zakat is due from any Muslim, young or old, male or female, on the money that is held in savings for one calendar year or more.
There are eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat:
- The poor
- The needy
- Administrators of Zakat
- Those whose hearts have been recently reconciled
- Those who have been enslaved
- Those in debt
- In the cause of God
- Travellers (including refugees)