Editing Zakat (section)

===Quran===
The [[Quran]] discusses charity in many verses, some of which relate to zakat. The word zakat, with the meaning used in Islam now, is found, for example, in [[sura]]s: 7:156, 9:60, 19:31, 19:55, 21:73, 23:4, 27:3, 30:39, 31:4, and 41:7.<ref>Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1999), Monzer Kahf (transl.), Fiqh az-Zakat, Dar al Taqwa, London, Volume 1, {{ISBN|978-967-5062-766}}, p. xl, "Qur'an used the word zakah, in the meaning known to Muslims now, as early as the beginning of the Makkan period. This is found in Suras: 7:156, 19:31 and 55, 21:72, 23:4, 27:7, 30:39, 31:3, and 41:7."</ref><ref>The English translation of these verses can be read here {{cite web |url=http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/ |title=Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement |access-date=20 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810145129/http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/quran/ |archive-date=10 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}, University of Southern California</ref>
Zakat is found in the early [[Medinan sura]]s and described as obligatory for Muslims.<ref name=Heck>{{cite encyclopedia|last= Heck |first= Paul L. |editor-first= Jane Dammen |editor-last= McAuliffe |editor-link= Jane Dammen McAuliffe |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an]] |title= Taxation|year= 2006 |publisher= [[Brill Publishers]] |volume= 5 |location= [[Leiden]] |isbn= 978-90-04-14743-0 }}</ref> It is given for the sake of salvation. Muslims believe those who give zakat can expect reward from God in the afterlife, while neglecting to give zakat can result in damnation. Zakat is considered part of the covenant between God and a Muslim.<ref name=Heck />

Verse 2:177 (the Clear Qur'an translation) sums up the Quranic view of charity and almsgiving (another name for zakat is the ''poor due''):

{{quote|Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺. – 2:177}}

According to [[Yusuf al-Qaradawi]], verse 9.5 of the Quran makes zakat one of three prerequisites for pagans to become Muslims: "but if they repent, establish prayers, and practice zakat they are your brethren in faith".<ref name="yaqaradxix">Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1999), Monzer Kahf (transl.), Fiqh az-Zakat, Dar al Taqwa, London, Volume 1, {{ISBN|978-967-5062-766}}, p. xix.</ref>

The Quran also lists who should receive the benefits of zakat, discussed in more detail [[Zakāt#Distribution|below]].<ref name=Zysow/>

Mention of zakat after prayer suggests that it held a different role than almsgiving. Zakat served as a fine or payment for someone guilty of sin to have Muhammad pray for their purification.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Donner |first=Fred M. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Muhammad_and_the_Believers/qBzRj7OajmEC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam |date=2010-05-15 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-05097-6 |pages=63 |language=en}}</ref>