Grade 4 islamic religious education DEVOTIONAL ACTS – Zakat Notes
DEVOTIONAL ACTS — ZAKAT
- a) Describe Zakatul Maal and Zakatul Fitr as an obligation on a Muslim.
- b) Differentiate between Zakatul Maal and Zakatul Fitr as acts of Ibadah.
- c) Identify items exempted from Zakat payment.
- d) Assess the significance of Zakatul Maal and Zakatul Fitr to society.
- e) Appreciate the role of Zakat in the development of a Muslim society.
What is Zakat?
Zakat is a special act of worship in Islam. It means giving part of one’s wealth to help others. It cleans the heart from greed and helps the poor. There are two common kinds children should know:
- Given on savings, business goods, some livestock, gold, or silver if they stay above a certain amount for one lunar year.
- Usually 2.5% of that wealth (for most types of savings). Example: if you saved KES 10,000 for one year and it is above the required amount, Zakat might be KES 250.
- It is paid once a year by those who can afford it.
- Given at the end of Ramadan, before Eid prayer.
- It is a small amount of staple food (like maize flour) or its cash value given for each person in the household, including children.
- It makes Eid easy for poor people so they can celebrate too.
How they are different
- Paid yearly on wealth above a limit.
- Usually 2.5% of savings and some assets.
- Helps poor all year round.
- Paid at the end of Ramadan before Eid.
- Small fixed amount of food or money per person.
- Helps poor celebrate Eid.
Items usually exempted from Zakat
(Things you do NOT pay Zakat on)
- Personal clothes, school uniform, and the house where you live.
- Food that your family will eat now (daily food).
- Tools or equipment you need for your job (for example: a tailor’s sewing machine used for work).
- Money you owe to others (it can be taken away from your savings before checking if you must pay zakat).
Why Zakat is important for society
- Helps the poor and needy (gives food, clothes, or money).
- Reduces hunger and suffering in our community (for example, in a neighbourhood in Nairobi or a village in Kilifi).
- Teaches sharing, kindness, and responsibility to Muslims of all ages, even children.
- Keeps the community strong: when rich help poor, everyone can work and learn better.
Role of Zakat in developing a Muslim society
Zakat can pay for school fees for a child who cannot afford them, help start small businesses, and pay for health needs. In Kenya, zakat contributions can be given to local mosque funds, community zakat boxes, or trusted organisations that support poor families in towns and villages. This helps families become stronger and more independent.
Suggested learning experiences (for class / home)
- Role-play: Pupils act as donors, collectors, and beneficiaries. Use play money or maize flour sacks to practise giving Zakatul Fitr and Zakatul Maal.
- Simple math practice: Calculate 2.5% of small amounts (e.g., KES 4,000 → 0.025 × 4000 = KES 100). Use real-life examples of small savings.
- Visit or invite a local imam or mosque representative to explain when and how to give Zakat safely in the local community.
- Community project: Collect non-perishable food (maize flour, rice) for a neighbour in need. Make a poster showing “Why we give Zakat”.
- Story time: Read or tell a simple story about a child who helps a poor family at Eid through Zakat and how it changed their life.
Simple examples
If someone saved KES 8,000 for one year and the amount is above the required limit, Zakat = 2.5% of 8,000 = KES 200.
Example 2 — Zakatul Fitr:A family of 4 gives one small bag of maize flour (or a small cash amount) per person before the Eid prayer so poor families can also celebrate.
Short quiz (answer in class)
- When is Zakatul Fitr given?
- Give one example of an item that does not need Zakat.
- If you saved KES 5,000 for a year and need to give 2.5% as zakat, how much is that?
- Name one way Zakat helps the community in Kenya.
Zakat is a kind action from the heart. Zakatul Maal helps throughout the year and is paid on some savings. Zakatul Fitr is a small gift at the end of Ramadan so everyone can enjoy Eid. Sharing builds a caring community.
- Keep examples simple and local (use KES, maize flour, local charity boxes).
- Invite families to help with role-play and community projects.
- When in doubt about amounts or rules, ask the local imam or a trustworthy Islamic centre for guidance suitable for Kenya.