Zakat
15 Grade 7 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Zakat, with worked marking schemes. 15 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markWhich of the following persons is NOT eligible to receive Zakat?
A. A poor person
B. A wealthy person who does not need it
C. A traveller who has run out of money
D. A person in debt who cannot repay
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
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6 marksMr. Ali has saved money for over one year and the amount has reached the minimum threshold required for charity in Islam. His son asks him why he must give away part of his wealth every year.
(a) State the meaning of the term 'Nisab' as used in Zakat. (2 marks)
(b) Give three benefits of Zakat to the Muslim community (Ummah). (3 marks)
(c) Name one category of people entitled to receive Zakat. (1 mark)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth (or property) that a Muslim must possess, and which must remain in his ownership for one lunar year (hawl), before Zakat becomes obligatory on it. (b) Benefits to the Ummah (any three): (1) It reduces poverty and helps the needy meet their basic needs; (2) It narrows the gap between the rich and the poor, promoting equality; (3) It strengthens brotherhood, love and unity among Muslims; (4) It purifies the wealth and the heart of the giver from greed; (5) It circulates wealth in the community rather than hoarding it. (c) Categories entitled to Zakat (any one of the eight in Surah At-Tawbah 9:60): the poor (fuqara), the needy (masakeen), those employed to collect it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives/slaves, those in debt, in the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah), the stranded traveller (ibn as-sabeel).
Question 3
6 marksZakat has both spiritual and social benefits. Explain THREE benefits of Zakat to the Muslim community (ummah).
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Up to 2 marks per explained benefit (max 6): reduces poverty by transferring wealth from the rich to the poor; purifies the giver's wealth and soul from greed; strengthens brotherhood and reduces resentment between rich and poor; circulates wealth and discourages hoarding, boosting the economy; supports needy causes such as debtors and travellers; earns the giver reward from Allah. (6 marks)
Question 4
1 markZakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. What is the literal meaning of the word Zakat?
A. Fasting
B. Prayer
C. Pilgrimage
D. Purification and growth
(1 mark)
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4 marksState FOUR conditions that must be met before Zakat becomes obligatory (fard) on a Muslim.
(4 marks)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 6
1 markZakat becomes obligatory on wealth only after it has been owned for a complete lunar year. This condition is called:
A. Nadhr
B. Sadaqah
C. Nisab
D. Hawl
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
1 markMr. Abdalla has saved wealth above the minimum threshold (nisab) for a full lunar year. His son asks how much of this saved wealth he must give out as the obligatory annual charity. The correct rate of Zakat on such savings is:
A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 2.5%
D. 50%
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
1 markThe standard rate of Zakat charged on savings, cash and trade goods that have reached the nisab is:
A. 5%
B. 2.5%
C. 20%
D. 10%
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
1 markThe obligatory charity given at the end of Ramadhan before the Eid prayer, usually in the form of staple food, is called:
A. Zakat al-Mal
B. Zakat al-Fitr
C. Sadaqah jariyah
D. Kaffarah
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 10
1 markThe minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory is known as:
A. Riba
B. Hawl
C. Khums
D. Nisab
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 11
4 marksDistinguish between Zakat al-Mal and Zakat al-Fitr.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Award up to 2 marks for each correct distinction (max 4): Zakat al-Mal is levied on wealth/property (cash, gold, livestock, trade goods) that reaches the nisab and completes a year, at a set rate e.g. 2.5%. Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed charity given by every Muslim at the end of Ramadhan before Eid prayer, usually as a measure of staple food, to purify the fasting person and feed the poor for Eid. (4 marks)
Question 12
1 markAccording to the Qur'an, how many categories of people are entitled to receive Zakat?
A. Six
B. Two
C. Four
D. Eight
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 13
1 markRefusing to pay Zakat when one is able and it is due is considered in Islam as:
A. A recommended act
B. An act of worship
C. A major sin
D. A permissible choice
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 14
1 markMr. Ali has owned wealth above the nisab for a full lunar year. His neighbour says zakat is just generosity he can give whenever he feels like it. How should the role of zakat in Islam be correctly explained to him?
A. It is a voluntary gift like sadaqah
B. It is the third pillar of Islam and obligatory
C. It is only required from traders, not farmers
D. It is paid once in a lifetime like Hajj
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 15
4 marksA committee in a Kenyan mosque collects Zakat and must decide who should receive it. State FOUR categories of people entitled to receive Zakat as mentioned in the Qur'an.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Award 1 mark each for any four of the eight: the poor (fuqara); the needy (masakin); those employed to collect Zakat; those whose hearts are to be reconciled (new/inclined to Islam); to free captives/slaves; those in debt; in the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah); the stranded traveller (ibn as-sabil). (4 marks)
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