Zakat is a mandatory charitable contribution, typically 2.5% of a Muslim's surplus wealth, distributed to specific categories of people in need. Unlike voluntary charity (Sadaqah), Zakat is a religious obligation and a mechanism for social justice. The word "Zakat" itself means "purification" and "growth," signifying that by giving away a portion of one's wealth, the remainder is spiritually purified, and the soul is cleansed from greed and materialism. The Qur’an frequently pairs the command to pray with the command to give Zakat, highlighting its essential nature: "And establish prayer and give Zakat and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]" (Qur’an 2:43). Wealth in Islam is viewed as a trust (Amanah) from God, and the Qur’an explicitly states the rights of the poor: "And from their properties was [given] the right of the needy and the deprived" (Qur’an 51:19). The Prophet Muhammad described Zakat as a bridge to social harmony. When sending Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen, he instructed him: "Inform them that Allah has made Zakat obligatory upon them; it is to be taken from their rich and given to their poor" (Sahih Bukhari). By redistributing wealth, Zakat reduces economic inequality and fosters a sense of communal brotherhood, ensuring that the basic needs of the vulnerable are met within the Islamic framework.