Almsgiving, or Zakat (also spelt Zakaat, Zakah), is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a vital act of worship for Muslims, alongside the other four sacred pillars: prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj) and belief in Allah and His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (ufdfa) (Shahadah).
Every compulsory for every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount (known as the Nisab) must pay 2.5% of it as Zakat, also formally known as Zakat al Mal (or Zakat al Maal).