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GCSE · Islamic Practices

RS.IP9 Sadaqah and Khums: Giving Beyond the Obligation of Zakah

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This multiple choice question checks knowledge of a basic definition in the topic of voluntary giving in Islam, naming Sadaqah.

A) Sadaqah is the compulsory annual payment of 2.5 percent of a Muslim's savings.
B) Sadaqah is voluntary charitable giving that a Muslim may give at any time in any amount.
C) Sadaqah is the Shi'a tax of one-fifth on certain surplus income.
D) Sadaqah is the ritual washing before prayer.

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two brief definitions used in the study of Islamic giving: define 'Khums' as a Shi'a practice, and define 'sadaqah'.

(a)Define Khums in the context of Shi'a Islamic practice.(1)

(b)Define sadaqah in the context of voluntary Islamic giving.(1)

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Outline three differences between zakah and khums that relate to who must pay, what is taxed, and how the money is used. Give three short points.

(Total for Question 3 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why Muslims might give sadaqah, referring to beliefs about compassion and community benefit in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Muslim beliefs about the importance of voluntary giving (sadaqah) compared with obligatory giving (zakah). Refer to the Qur'an or a hadith in your answer for one marking point.

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Give three examples of things that can be considered sadaqah (voluntary charity) in everyday Muslim practice.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why Shi'a Muslims pay khums, referring to its distinctive uses such as support for descendants of Muhammad and religious institutions.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

State two groups who may receive benefits from khums in Shi'a practice, and give one brief reason why each group might receive it.

(Total for Question 8 is 2 marks)

Explain the importance of khums for Shi'a communities today, giving two reasons and showing how khums supports religious life and social responsibility.

(Total for Question 9 is 6 marks)

Give three benefits that voluntary sadaqah can bring to a local Muslim community.

(Total for Question 10 is 3 marks)

Which one of the following statements about khums is correct?

A) Khums is payable by all Muslims in exactly the same way as zakah.
B) Khums is a Shi'a obligation of one-fifth on certain surplus income or profit, used for specified purposes, including support for sayyids and religious institutions.
C) Khums is a voluntary gift given during Ramadan only.
D) Khums is the same as the zakah rate of 2.5 percent on all savings.

(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)

Evaluate the view that voluntary giving matters more than obligatory giving in Islam. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments, reach a justified conclusion. (15 marks: 12 for quality of evaluation plus 3 SPaG)

(Total for Question 12 is 15 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.IP9 Sadaqah and Khums: Giving Beyond the Obligation of Zakah

Question 1

B1 selecting option B, voluntary charitable giving any Muslim may give at any time in any amount, cao
Answer: B

Question 2

(a) B1 a payment of one-fifth (20 percent) of certain surplus income or profit for specific uses in Shi'a Islam, oe
(a) Answer: A payment of one-fifth (20 percent) of certain surplus income or profit for specific uses in Shi'a Islam.
(b) B1 voluntary charitable giving by Muslims at any time in any amount as an expression of generosity and compassion, oe
(b) Answer: Voluntary charitable giving by Muslims at any time in any amount as an expression of generosity and compassion.

Question 3

B1 difference 1: zakah is an obligation for eligible Muslims across Sunni and Shi'a communities with specific rules, while khums is specifically a Shi'a obligation, oe
B1 difference 2: zakah is usually 2.5 percent of qualifying savings and wealth, whereas khums is one-fifth (20 percent) of certain surplus income or profit, oe
B1 difference 3: zakah funds go to defined categories (e.g. poor, needy, collectors), while khums includes support for sayyids (descendants of Muhammad) and for religious institutions or scholars, oe
Answer: Any three short differences such as: zakah applies across traditions while khums is Shi'a-specific; zakah is 2.5% of qualifying wealth while khums is 20% of surplus income/profit; zakah goes to set categories of poor/charity while khums also supports descendants of Muhammad and religious institutions.

Question 4

B1 point 1: Muslims give sadaqah to express compassion and charity, reflecting Qur'anic teaching to care for others, oe
B1 development 1: this is supported by verses encouraging charity and kindness to those in need, and the idea of imitating Allah's compassion, oe
B1 point 2: sadaqah helps strengthen community ties and reduce hardship, providing practical support to the poor and vulnerable, oe
B1 development 2: voluntary giving can fund urgent local needs quickly, building trust and social cohesion within the ummah, oe
Answer: E.g. to show compassion as taught in the Qur'an and to help those in need; to strengthen community ties by providing practical support and reducing hardship.

Question 5

B1 belief 1: some Muslims emphasise obligatory giving like zakah because it is a required pillar that ensures justice and a steady redistribution of wealth, oe
B1 development 1: zakah is commanded and regulated, so it guarantees support for the defined categories of needy people, oe
B1 belief 2: other Muslims place great value on sadaqah as an expression of personal compassion and voluntary generosity that can be given more widely, oe
B1 development 2: sadaqah can be immediate, flexible and encourage personal spiritual growth, oe
B1 reference: one accurate reference to the Qur'an or a hadith to support either side, for example Qur'an 2:274 on charity being accepted and rewarded, or a hadith about voluntary charity increasing faith, oe
Answer: Contrast: zakah valued for its obligatory, regulated justice; sadaqah valued for personal compassion and flexibility. Supported by a Qur'an or hadith reference such as Qur'an 2:274 or an appropriate hadith about voluntary charity.

Question 6

B1 giving money to someone in need, oe
B1 donating food or clothing to the poor, oe
B1 acts of kindness or service offered without pay, e.g. helping a neighbour, oe
Answer: Any three: giving money; donating food or clothing; acts of kindness or service offered freely.

Question 7

B1 point 1: khums is paid as a religious duty to share surplus blessings and to provide for religious leaders and institutions, oe
B1 development 1: a portion funds the ulama and institutions that support religious education and community life, helping maintain Shi'a religious structures, oe
B1 point 2: khums includes a share specifically for sayyids or descendants of the Prophet, reflecting historical responsibilities within the community, oe
B1 development 2: this helps support those recognised as descendants who may lack other means, preserving religious and social obligations in Shi'a communities, oe
Answer: E.g. to fund religious leaders and institutions and to support descendants of the Prophet, reflecting Shi'a communal and historical responsibilities.

Question 8

B1 group 1: sayyids or descendants of Muhammad, with reason: historical entitlement and social support, oe
B1 group 2: religious scholars or institutions (ulama, seminaries), with reason: to fund religious education and community services, oe
Answer: Any two: sayyids (support for descendants) and religious scholars/institutions (funding religious education and services), with brief reasons.

Question 9

Level 3 (5-6): A well-developed answer that explains two or more reasons why khums is important, showing clear understanding of its role in supporting religious institutions and social responsibility, with developed examples and accurate use of relevant religious ideas.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains one or two reasons why khums is important, with some development or examples.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two basic points about khums with little or no explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Khums provides a stable income stream for Shi'a religious institutions, enabling seminaries, mosques and charity projects to operate.
- It supports religious scholars so that they can teach and guide the community, maintaining religious learning and leadership.
- A portion designated for sayyids helps uphold historical social responsibilities and care for vulnerable descendants of the Prophet.
- Khums demonstrates a communal responsibility to share surplus wealth, reinforcing social solidarity and support for those without means.
- Some see khums as a spiritual discipline that reduces attachment to wealth and prioritises community welfare over personal accumulation.
- In practice khums can pay for social welfare projects that respond to local needs, complementing zakah and sadaqah.

Question 10

B1 benefit 1: meets immediate needs quickly, such as food or emergency support, oe
B1 benefit 2: builds neighbourliness and mutual support, strengthening community ties, oe
B1 benefit 3: encourages individual moral development and generosity, oe
Answer: Any three: immediate help for needs; stronger community ties; encouraging generosity and moral development.

Question 11

B1 selecting option B, khums is a Shi'a obligation of one-fifth on certain surplus income or profit used for specified purposes, cao
Answer: B

Question 12

Level 4 (10-12): An excellent evaluation, analysing both sides of the argument with well developed reasoning, referring to religious teachings and evidence, and reaching a well-justified conclusion.
Level 3 (7-9): A good evaluation that gives reasoned arguments for and against, with some use of religious teachings, and a supported conclusion.
Level 2 (4-6): A limited evaluation that gives some relevant reasons for and/or against the statement, with limited use of religious material and a simple conclusion.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, undeveloped points either for or against the statement or a brief assertion with little supporting reasoning.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Arguments that voluntary giving matters more: sadaqah expresses personal compassion and spiritual intention, can be given to a wider range of causes, and encourages personal growth and altruism beyond fulfilment of duty.
- Voluntary giving can respond to immediate local needs and be flexible in ways that obligatory payments cannot, filling gaps that zakah or khums do not cover.
- Arguments that obligatory giving matters more: zakah is one of the Five Pillars (in Sunni understanding) and is a communal, regulated system ensuring fair redistribution and social justice; it is compulsory and thus guarantees funds to the needy.
- Obligatory payments like zakah and khums create a baseline of responsibility that prevents the poor being entirely dependent on sporadic voluntary donations.
- Religious arguments and sources: Qur'anic teachings that command zakah and praise the giving of charity, for example verses that link communal welfare to prescribed almsgiving; hadith emphasising the importance of fulfilling religious duties.
- A balanced conclusion might argue that both kinds of giving are important, serving different roles: obligatory giving establishes justice and rights, while voluntary giving expresses personal faith and meets urgent or individual needs.
- Consideration of different Muslim traditions: Shi'a emphasis on khums and its uses, Sunni emphasis on zakah as a pillar, and shared high value placed on voluntary charity across traditions.

Sadaqah and Khums: Giving Beyond the Obligation of Zakah - Worksheets, Questions and Revision