Both Muslims and Christians give as part of their religious practice or worship. We can use this common ground to connect with our Muslim neighbors and friends. When we recognize the differences between Islamic 'Zakat' and Christian 'tithing' we open doors for constructive conversations and questions.
What is Zakat?
In general, Islam values generosity because of their works-based religion and honor-shame culture. 'Zakat' giving is one of the five mandated pillars or practices of the Islamic faith that consist of:
Shahada (profession of faith)
Salat (prayer)
Sawm (fasting)
Hajj (pilgrimage)
Zakat (alms-giving)
The Muslim must give 2.5% of their excess income after they meet these two conditions: 1) They have paid for all of their necessities that year and closed any debt. 2) The excess they have is more than the value of 85 grams of gold (for 2021 this amounts to approx. $3,920).
Zakat is usually given to a local mosque to expand Islam and help provide for the communities' poor Muslim families. The Quran considers Zakat a form of worship and a way to purify a person's annual earnings. Zakat does not include voluntary generosity, which is called "Sadaqah." Through sadaqah, Muslims may give to the beggars on the street, provide meals for the poor during Ramadan, and help anyone in need.
Christian Tithing
Today, the way most Christians tithe is modeled after Abraham's giving in Genesis 14, where he gave 1/10th of everything he owned to Melchizedek, a high-priest of God. Abraham did not give because he had to, but because he was grateful for God's deliverance from his enemies. This took place before the Law was given to Israel, where the giving reached 33% of the gross annual income.
Giving in the Early Church
Followers of Christ in the Early Church gave generously to a collective fund. Acts 2:44-45 says, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." The early believers did not do this because it was required of them, but because God's grace was moving them to give (Acts 4:32-45).
Basically, Zakat is obligatory; Christian tithing is given voluntarily. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat means one's salvation and religious standing becomes intertwined with their giving.
2 Corinthians 9 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver, not one who gives with reluctance or because they feel like they have to. On multiple occasions, the Bible says that those who give will be rewarded and blessed.
Here are some basic questions to open up this conversation with your Muslim friends:
I've heard that giving is one of the five pillars of Islam. Does that mean it's required of you to give?
Do you like the way Islam approaches giving as a mandatory aspect of faith?
Why do you think God asks us to give? Does He need our money?
These questions will give you chances to learn more about your friend's personal experience with Zakat and their heart attitude about giving. Maybe they'll redirect the questions back to you, asking whether you give and why.
As you celebrate the greatest gift God has given us, Jesus Christ, express your love and gratefulness to Him through your giving. Be generous and give cheerfully and sacrificially to the Lord this season, and watch Him smile down on you and say: "Well done my child!"
If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,'
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?. As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Rom. 10:9-15