Zakat In Islam
Zakat means purification of one’s physicaland spiritual self, as well as of one’s wealth.
Of the several types of Zakat, two are Zakatul-Mal and Zakat ul-Fitra.
“Fitra” is derived from the same root as”Iftar’ at the end of the fast. Through fasting,one purifies oneself, physically bycontrolling his senses and basic instincts,and spiritually. But, just as the pangs ofhunger and thirst create awareness of theplight of the less fortunate fellow humanbeings, these feelings must be translatedinto action to alleviate their plight. Islamenjoins giving alms on the day of Eid al-Fitrso that brethren in faith can rejoice andthus enhance the ideals of a just societythat minds the plight of its less fortunatemembers.