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The word zakat is derived from zaka, means it (a plant) grew, as it is said zaka al-zar (the crop grew). The other derivatives of this word, as used in the Koran (87:14), carry the sense of purification from sins, i.e., qad aflaha man tazakka (verily the pure ones prospered). According to Raghib, zakat is wealth which is taken from the rich and given to the poor, being so called because it makes wealth grew, or because the giving away of wealth is a source of purification. The word zakat occurs 32 times in the Koran.

Zakat was collected only from Muslims who had attained the age of majority and were in full possession of their faculties. It was levied on grains, fruits, dates, grapes, camels, cattle and other domestic quadrupeds, gold, silver and merchandise. With the exception of animals, zakat was levied at almost a uniform rate, being 2