Alms: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Clothing, food,Money or money that isgoods given to poor people}}

'''Alms''' ({{IPAc-en|ɑː|m|z|}}, {{IPAc-en|ɑː|l|m|z|}}) are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in [[poverty]].<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|alms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|alms}}</ref> Providing alms is often considered an act of [[virtue]] or [[Charity (practice)|charity]]. The act of providing alms is called '''almsgiving''', and it is a widespread practice in a number of different [[religion]]s and cultures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nation|first=The|date=2021-09-15|title=Ridding Lagos of street beggars and hawkers|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/ridding-lagos-of-street-beggars-and-hawkers/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=The Nation Newspaper|language=en-US}}</ref>

The word ''alms'' comes from the [[Old English]] ''{{lang|ang|ælmesse}}'', ''{{lang|ang|ælmes}}'', which comes from [[Late Latin]] ''{{lang|la|eleemosyna}}'', from [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|ἐλεημοσύνη}} ''{{lang|grc-Latn|eleēmosynē}}'' ("pity, alms"), from {{lang|grc|ἐλεήμων}}, ''{{lang|grc-Latn|eleēmōn}}'' ("merciful"), from {{lang|grc|ἔλεος}}, ''{{lang|grc-Latn|eleos}}'', meaning "pity or mercy".<ref>{{cite web |title=alms |url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=alms |website=Etymonline |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Three monks chanting in Lhasa, 1993.jpg|thumb|Three monks seeking alms in [[Lhasa]], Tibet. in 1993.]]

{{main|Dāna#Buddhism|Satuditha}}

In [[Buddhism]], both "almsgiving" and "giving" are called "[[Dana (Buddhism)|dāna]]" ([[Pāli]]).<ref>Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna". [http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm Budsas.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219163600/http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm |date=2007-02-19 }}</ref> Such giving is one of the three elements of the path of practice as formulated by the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] for [[Householder (Buddhism)|laypeople]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-26|title=Buddha Purnima 2021: Date, significance and importance of the day|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/buddha-purnima-2021-date-significance-and-importance-7303079/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> This path of practice for laypeople is: [[Dana (Buddhism)|dāna]], [[Śīla|sīla]], and [[Samādhi (Buddhism)Bhavana|bhāvanā]].<ref>Nyanatiloka (1980), entry for "dāna" [http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm Budsas.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219163600/http://www.budsas.org/ebud/bud-dict/dic3_d.htm |date=2007-02-19 }}; and, PTS (1921–25), entry for "Puñña" (merit)[https://archive.today/20120707184520/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.2:1:3017.pali Uchicago.edu].</ref>

Generosity towards other sentient beings is greatlyalso emphasized in Mahayana as one of the perfections ([[paramita]]). As shown in [[Je Tsongkhapa|Lama Tsong Khapa's]] 'The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path' ({{bo|w=lam-rim bsdus-don}}):

The giving of alms is the beginning of one's journey to [[Nirvana (concept)|Nirvana]] ({{lang-pi|nibbana}}). In practice, one can give anything with or without thought for [[Nibbana]]. This would lead to [[saddha|faith]] ({{lang-pi|saddha}}), one [[Five Powers|key power]] ({{lang-pi|bala}}) that one should generate within oneself for the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], [[Dhamma]], and [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]].

==== MotivesIntentions for giving ====

The motivesintentions behind giving play an important role in developing spiritual qualities. The [[suttas]] record various motives for exercising generosity. For example, the Anguttara Nikaya (A.iv, 236) enumerates the following eight motives:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel367.html|title=Dana: The Practice of Giving|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226044803/http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/various/wheel367.html|archive-date=2009-02-26|access-date=2009-02-22}}</ref>

In countries that follow [[Mahayana]] Buddhism, the practice of ''[[Takuhatsu]]'' has mostly died out. In China, Korea, and Japan, local cultures resisted the idea of giving food to 'begging' clerics, and there was no tradition of gaining 'merit' by donating to practitioners. After periods of persecution, monasteries were situated in remote mountain areas in which; the distance between the monastery and the nearest towns would makemade this practice impossible. In Japan, the practice of a weekly or monthly [[Takuhatsu]] replaced the daily round. In the Himalayan countries, the large number of ''bhikkhus'' would have made an alms round a heavy burden on families. Competition with other religions for support also made daily practice difficult and even dangerous; the first Buddhist monks in the [[Silla]] dynasty of Korea were said to be beaten due to their minority at the time.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

In Christianity, the giving of alms is viewed as an act of [[Charity (practice)|charity]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alms and Almsgiving (in the Bible) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/alms-and-almsgiving-bible|access-date=2021-09-18|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> In the [[Apostolic age]], [[Christians]] were taught that giving alms was an expression of love. Such care for the poor was to be understood as love for God, who, in the person of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], sacrificed himself for the salvation of believers.{{efn|[[Epistle of James|James]] 1:27 (NIV) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."}}

In nearly all Christian denominations, money is donated to support the church's financial needs and its ministry to the less- fortunate. In some churches, the alms are placed near to the [[altar]] to symbolize that the offering belongs to God and to represent the unity of the congregation.{{efn|Compare with {{bibleverse|Matthew|5:23–24|KJV}}.}}

The [[offertory]] is the traditional moment in the [[Mass (Catholic Church)|Roman Catholic Mass]], [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Lutheran Divine Service]], and [[Anglican eucharistic theology|Anglican Eucharist]], when alms are collected. [[Baptist]]s and Methodists, among other denominations, collect [[tithe]]s and offerings (alms) during the offertory in church services. A tithe, the first tenth of one's income, is seen as what is owed to God, while an offering (alms) includes anything contributed beyond that.<ref name="Prince2011">{{cite book |last1=Prince |first1=Derek |title=The Promise of Provision: Living and Giving from God's Abundant Supply |date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Baker Books |isbn=978-1-4412-6328-5 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="ClaydonClarke2010">{{cite book |last1=Claydon |first1=Tony |last2=Clarke |first2=Peter Bernard |title=God's Bounty?: Papers Read at the 2008 Summer Meeting and the 2009 Winter Meeting of the Ecclesiastical History Society |date=2010 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |isbn=978-0-9546809-6-1 |language=English}}</ref> Some fellowships practice regular giving for special purposes called "love offerings" for the poor, destitute or victims of catastrophic loss such as home fires or medical expenses. Traditionally, Deaconsdeacons and Deaconessesdeaconesses are responsible for distributing these gifts among [[Widow|widowswidow]]s, orphans, and others in need. Many Christians support a plethora of charitable organizations, not all of which claim a Christian religious affiliation. Many American Educationaleducational and Medicalmedical Institutionsinstitutions were founded by Christian fellowships giving alms.

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], the collection of alms and tithes has not been formally united to the offertory in any liturgical action. However, either having a collection plate in the [[narthex]] or passing it unobtrusively during the service is not uncommon. In [[Eastern Orthodox theology]], almsgiving is an important part of the spiritual life, and [[fasting]] should always be accompanied by increased prayer and almsgiving.<ref>{{Cite book |lastlast1=Kallistos (Ware) |firstfirst1=Bishop |author-link=Timothy Ware |last2=Mary |first2=Mother |year=1978 |publication-date=2002 |title=The Lenten Triodion |pages=35ff |location=South Canaan PA |publisher=St. Tikhon's Seminary Press |isbn=1-878997-51-3}}</ref> Almsgiving in the name of the deceased also frequently accompanies [[prayer for the dead]]. Those whose financial circumstances do not permit the giving of monetary alms may give alms in other ways, such as [[intercessory prayer]] and [[Works of Mercy|acts of mercy]] such as visiting people in prison, clothing the poor or volunteering in soup kitchens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matthew 25:36 - The Sheep and the Goats |url=https://biblehub.com/matthew/25-36.htm |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>

The outward and an inward giving of alms; Jesus places the primary focus on the motives behind suchthe actsoutward and inward giving of alms, which should be love:

[[File:Gospel of Luke Chapter 21-4 (Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media).jpg|thumb|Jesus commends this poor but generous woman in {{bibleverse||Luke|21:1–4}}.]]

Giving of the rich versus the poor; Jesus contrasts the giving of the rich and the poor:

Giving should be out of love and not out of duty:

[[File:RaviMandodari Varma-Ladybased Givingon AlmsRaja atRavi theVarma's Templepainting (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|Lady giving alms at the Temple, by [[Raja Ravi Varma]], (1848–1906)]]

In Hinduism, ''{{IAST|Dānadāna}}'' ({{lang-sa|दान}}) is an ancient concept of almsgiving dating to the [[Vedas|Vedic period]] of Hinduism.<ref name=shahsoulful>Shah et al. (2013), Soulful Corporations: A Values-Based Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, {{ISBN|978-8132212744}}, page 125, Quote: "The concept of Daana (charity) dates back to the Vedic period. The Rig Veda enjoins charity as a duty and responsibility of every citizen."</ref> ''{{IAST|Dāna}}'' has been defined in traditional texts as any action of relinquishing the ownership of what one considered or identified as one's own, and investing the same in a recipient without expecting anything in return.<ref name=kandm3>Krishnan & Manoj (2008), Giving as a theme in the Indian psychology of values, in Handbook of Indian Psychology (Editors: Rao et al.), Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|978-8175966024}}, pages 361-382</ref> While ''{{IAST|dāna}}'' is typically given to one person or family, Hinduism also discusses charity or giving aimed at public benefit, which is sometimes called ''utsarga''. This aims at larger projects such as building a rest house, school, investing in drinking water or an irrigation well, planting trees, and building care facilityfacilities, among others.<ref>Sanjay Agarwal (2010), Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India, {{asin|B00E0R033S}}, page 54-62</ref> The practice of begging for alms is called ''[[bhiksha]]'' ({{lang-sa|भिक्षा}}).<ref>[http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=dakSiNA&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 bhikSA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427213425/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=dakSiNA&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes&beginning=0 |date=2015-04-27 }} Sanskrit English Dictionary, University of Koeln, Germany</ref><ref>Alberto Garcia Gomez et al. (2014), Religious Perspectives on Human Vulnerability in Bioethics, Springer, {{ISBN|978-9401787352}}, pages 170-171</ref>

[[Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī]], theThe 11th century [[Persians|Persian]] historian [[Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī]], who visited and lived in [[India]] for 16 years frombeginning in about 1017 CE, mentions the practice of charity and almsgiving among Hindus as he observed during his stay. He wrote, "It is obligatory with them (Hindus) every day to give alms as much as possible."<ref name="birunihind">Alberuni's India (v. 2), [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5949073_002/pages/ldpd_5949073_002_00000157.html?toggle=image&menu=maximize&top=&left= Chapter LXVII, On Alms and how a man must spend what he earns] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416172307/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5949073_002/pages/ldpd_5949073_002_00000157.html?toggle=image&menu=maximize&top=&left=|date=2015-04-16}}, Columbia University Libraries, London : Kegan Paul, Trübner & Co., (1910), pages 149-150</ref>

Almsgiving isin heldHinduism tois beconsidered a noble deed in Hinduism, to be done without expectation of any return from those who receive the charity.<ref name=kandm3/> Some texts reason, referring to the nature of social life, that charity is a form of good karma that affects one's future circumstances and environment, and that good charitable deeds leads to good future life because of the [[Reciprocity (social psychology)|reciprocity principle]].<ref name=kandm3/> Other Hindu texts, such as ''Vyasa Samhita'', state that reciprocity may be innate in human nature and social functions but dāna is a virtue in itself, as doing good lifts the nature of one who gives.<ref>MN Dutt (1979), {{Google books|tws7AAAAMAAJ|The Dharma-shastras}}, Volumes 3, Cosmo Publishers, pages 20-29</ref> The texts do not recommend charity to unworthy recipients or where charity may harm or encourage injury to or by the recipient. ''{{IAST|Dāna}}'', is thus, is a [[dharma|dharmic]] act, requires an idealistic-normative approach, and has spiritual and philosophical context.<ref name=kandm3/> Some medieval era authors state that ''{{IAST|dāna}}'' is best done with ''[[Faith in Hinduism|śraddhā]]'' (faith), which is defined as being in good will, cheerful, welcoming the recipient of the charity and giving without ''anasuya'' (finding faults in the recipient).<ref name=bilimoriadaana/> TheseKohler states that these scholars of Hinduism, states Kohler, suggest that charity is most effective when it is done with delight, a sense of "unquestioning hospitality", where the ''dāna'' ignores the short term weaknesses as well as the circumstances of the recipient and takes a long-term view.<ref name=bilimoriadaana>P Bilimoria et al. (2007), Dana as a Moral Category, in Indian Ethics: Classical traditions and contemporary challenges, Volume 1, {{ISBN|978-0754633013}}, pages 196-197 with footnotes</ref>

# ''abhay dāna'', the giving of freedom from fear (such as asylum, or protection tofor someone facing imminent injury)

The early [[Upanishads]], those composed before 500 BCE, also discuss the virtue of almsgiving. For example, [[Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]], states in verse 5.2.3 for example, states that three characteristics of a good, developed person are self-restraint (''[[Temperance (virtue)#Hinduism|dama]]''), compassion or love for all sentient life (''daya''), and charity (''{{IAST|dāna}}'').<ref name=kane>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n61/mode/2up Samanya Dharma], History of Dharmasastra, Vol. 2, Part 1, page 5</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sanskritdocuments.org/all_sa/brinew-proofed_sa.html|title=major_works in Devanagari script : Sanskrit Documents|website=sanskritdocuments.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214104135/http://sanskritdocuments.org/all_sa/brinew-proofed_sa.html|archive-date=2014-12-14|access-date=2015-06-04}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/Brihadaranyaka.Upanishad.Shankara.Bhashya.by.Swami.Madhavananda#page/n843/mode/2up Brihadaranyaka Upanishad], Translator: S Madhavananda, page 816, For discussion: pages 814-821</ref> [[Chandogya Upanishad]], Book III, similarly, states in Book III that a virtuous life requires: ''[[Tapas (Sanskrit)|tapas]]'' (meditation, asceticism), ''[[dāna]]'' (charity), ''[[arjava]]'' (straightforwardness, non-hypocrisy), ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence, non-injury to all sentient beings) and ''[[satya]]vacana'' (truthfulness).<ref>अथ यत्तपो दानमार्जवमहिँसा सत्यवचनमिति ता अस्य दक्षिणाः Source: [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/छान्दोग्योपनिषद्_१ Chandogya Upanishad (Sanskrit)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515152136/https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9B%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7 |date=2018-05-15 }} Verse 3.17.4, Wikisource</ref>{{efn|name=Chandogya}}<ref>Robert Hume, [https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n233/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad] 3.17, The Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Oxford University Press, pages 212-213</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/Shankara.Bhashya-Chandogya.Upanishad-Ganganath.Jha.1942.English#page/n179/mode/2up Chandogya Upanishad with Shankara Bhashya] Ganganath Jha (Translator), pages 165-166</ref>

[[Bhagavad Gita]] describes the right and wrong forms of {{IAST|dāna}} in verses 17.20 through 17.22.<ref>Christopher Key Chapple, The Bhagavad Gita: Twenty-fifth–Anniversary Edition, State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-1438428420}}, pages 653-655</ref> The ''[[Adi Parva]]'' of the Hindu Epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', states in Chapter 91, states that a person must first acquire wealth by honest means, then embark on charity; be hospitable to those who come to him; never inflict pain on any living being; and share a portion with others whatever he consumes.<ref>M.N. Dutt (Translator), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n143/mode/2up Adi Parva], Chapter XCI, verses 3-4, page 132</ref> In the ''[[Vana Parva]]'', Chapter 194, the Mahabharata recommends that one must, "conquer the mean by charity, the untruthful by truth, the wicked by forgiveness, and dishonesty by honesty".<ref>MN Dutt (Translator), [https://archive.org/stream/aproseenglishtr00duttgoog#page/n737/mode/2up Vana Parva], Chapter CXCIV, verse 6, page 291</ref>

The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' discusses when {{IAST|dāna}} is proper and when it is improper. In Book 8, Chapter 19, verse 36, it states that charity is inappropriate if it endangers and cripples modest livelihood of one's biological dependents or of one's own. Charity from surplus income above that required for modest living is recommended in the [[Puranas]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Agarwal |first=Sanjay |year=2010 |title=Daan and Other Giving Traditions in India |asin=B00E0R033S |page=43}}</ref>

In Islam, the concept of Muhsi or Muhsin alms-giver or charitable giving is generally divided into voluntary giving, ''[[sadaqah|ṣadaqah]]'' ({{lang|ar|صدقة}}), and an obligatory practice, the ''[[zakat|zakāh]]'' ({{lang|ar|الزكاة}}),. ''Zakāh'' is governed by a specific set of rules within [[Fiqh|Islamic jurisprudence]], and is intended to fulfill a well-defined set of theological and social requirements. For that reason, while ''zakat'' plays a much larger role within Islamic charity, ''sadaqahṢadaqah'' is possibly a better translation of Christian influenced formulations of the notion of '"alms" for that reason, though ''zakāh'' plays a much larger role within Islamic charity.

''ZakatZakāh'' is the third of the [[Five Pillars of Islam|five pillars of Islam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/faithpillars.html |title=Five Pillars |publisher=PBS |access-date=2010-11-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223009/http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/faithpillars.html |archive-date=2011-06-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hooker |first=Richard |url=http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |title=Arkan ad-Din the five pillars of religion |publisher=[[Washington State University]] |date=14 July 1999 |access-date=2010-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203124633/http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |archive-date=2010-12-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The literal meaning of the word ''zakatzakāh'' is "to purify", "to develop" and "cause to grow". ''ZakatZakāh'' is the amount of money that every Muslim, male or female, who is an adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male or female, has to pay to support specific categories of people. According to ''[[shariah]]'', it is an act of [[worship]]. Our possessionsPossessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need. This cutting back, like the pruning of plants, balances and encourages new growth. Various rules attachare attached but, in general terms, it is obligatory to give 2.5% of one's savings and business revenue and 5–10% of one's harvest to the poor. Possible recipients include the destitute, the [[working poor]], those who are unable to pay off their own debts, stranded travelers and others who need assistance, with the general principle of ''zakat'' always being that the rich should pay it to the poor. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and, therefore, wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Muslims of each era have agreed upon the obligatory nature of paying ''zakat'' forfrom their gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mufti |first=Imam |title=The Third Pillar of Islam: Compulsory Charity |url=https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/46/third-pillar-of-islam/ |access-date=2021-09-17 |website=www.islamreligion.com |language=en}}</ref>

''Zakat'' is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the ''nisab'' (or minimum amount), is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this ''nisab''. The ''nisab'' of gold and golden currency is 20 ''mithqal'', or approximately 85&nbsp;grams of pure gold. One ''mithqal'' is approximately 4.25&nbsp;grams. The ''nisab'' of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595&nbsp;grams of pure silver. The ''nisab'' of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold; the ''nisab'' of money is equivalent to the price of 85&nbsp;grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which ''zakat'' is paid.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-13|title=What is Zakat on money and When is it required? {{!}} Donate your Zakat|url=https://www.beyazeller.org/en/zakat-ul-mal/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Beyaz Eller Association|language=en-US}}</ref>

''Zakat'' is obligatory after the money has been in the control of its owner for the span of one lunar year; a lunar year is approximately 355 days. Then theThe owner then needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as ''zakat''. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days). The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then, check if the rest reaches the necessary ''nisab'', then payspay ''zakat'' for it.<ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|title=Islamic Aid Zakat (Zakah) {{!}} Donate your Zakat to Fight Poverty in Asia and Africa|url=https://islamicaid.org/zakat-zakah/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Islamic Aid - changing lives for good - Donate Now Zakat (Zakah) {{!}} Sadaqah {{!}} Refugee Services {{!}} Flood & Disaster Relief Worldwide|language=en-US}}</ref>

If the owner had enough money to satisfy the ''nisab'' at the beginning of the year, but his wealth in any form increased, the owner needs to add the increase to the ''nisab'' amount owned at the beginning of the year, and then pay ''zakat'', 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. There are minor differences between ''fiqh'' schools on how this is to be calculated. Each Muslim calculates his or her own ''zakat'' individually. For most purposes, this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

A pious person may also give alms as much as he or she pleases as ''sadaqahṣadaqah'', and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity', it has a wider meaning, as illustrated in the [[hadith]]s:

[[File:Jewish cemetery Otwock Karczew Anielin IMGP6721.jpg|thumb|Sandstone vestige of a Jewish gravestone depicting a ''[[tzedakah]]'' box (''pushke''). in a [[Jewish cemetery]] in [[Otwock]] (Karczew-Anielin), Poland.]]

In [[Judaism]], ''[[tzedakah]]'', a [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] term literally meaning righteousness but commonly used to signify "charity",<ref>{{cite book |last1=Donin |first1=Hayim Halevy, Rabbi |title=To Be A Jew |publisher=Basic Books |location=New York |year=1972 |page=48}}</ref> refers to the religious obligation to do what is right and just.<ref name="JTauber">[http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1079/jewish/The-Myth-of-Charity.htm Tzedakah vs The Myth of Charity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313154027/http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1079/jewish/The-Myth-of-Charity.htm |date=2012-03-13 }}; by [[Yanki Tauber]]; Retrieved 03-11-2012.</ref>{{efn|name=YTauber}} In the Greek [[Septuagint]] ''tzedakah'' was sometimes translated as {{lang|grc|ἐλεημοσύνη}}, "almsgiving".<ref>As per [[Wilhelm Gesenius|Gesenius]] Lexicon; "Deuterony 6:25 καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη ἔσται...", "... derived from the Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (mercifulness), used by Greek-speaking Jews to denote almost exclusively the offering of charity to the needy, from a feeling of both compassion and righteousness (ẓedaḳah). (See [[LXX]]. (note: Septuagint) on Prov. xxi. 21, and Dan. iv. 24.)"</ref><ref name="Alms">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kohler |first=Kaufmann |title=Alms |url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1295-alms |workencyclopedia=1906 Jewish Encyclopedia |access-date=November 26, 2018}}</ref>

In Judaism, ''tzedakah'' is seen as one of the greatest deeds that a person can do. ''Tzedakah'', along with prayer and repentance, is regarded as ameliorating the consequences of bad acts. Contemporary ''tzedakah'' is regarded as a continuation of the Biblical ''[[Maaser Ani]]'', or poor-tithe, as well as Biblical practices including permitting the poor to glean the corners of a field, harvest during the ''[[Shmita]]'' (sabbatical year), and other practices.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} Jewish farmers are commanded to leave the corners of their fields for the starving to harvest for food and are forbidden to pick up any grain that has been dropped during harvesting, as such food shall be left for the starving as well.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}{{efn|[[Book of Leviticus|Leviticus]] 19:9–10 (KJV) "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God."}}

The [[Mandaic language|Mandaic]] term ''[[zidqa brika]]'' (literally "blessed [[oblation]]") refers to a ritual meal blessed by priests. An early self-appellation for Mandaeans is ''bhiri zidqa'', meaning "elect of righteousness".<ref name=RudolphEI>{{cite web|last=Rudolph|first=Kurt|url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/mandaeans-2-religion |url-status=live |title=MANDAEANS ii. THE MANDAEAN RELIGION |access-date=8 January 2022|website=Encyclopaedia Iranica|date=7 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429194459/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/mandaeans-2-religion |archive-date=2011-04-29 }}</ref>