Determining the obligatory alms involves specific methods dependent on the type of wealth possessed. For instance, calculation for assets like gold and silver differs from that used for agricultural produce or livestock. A common example involves assessing wealth that meets or exceeds the nisab, the minimum threshold, and has been held for a lunar year (hawl). If the total value surpasses the nisab, a predetermined percentage, typically 2.5%, is due as alms.
This financial obligation serves as a crucial pillar of social justice, fostering economic equilibrium within the community. Benefits extend to both the giver and receiver, purifying wealth and addressing the needs of the less fortunate. Historically, the practice has provided a systematic framework for wealth redistribution and community support, ensuring a sustainable safety net for vulnerable populations.
