While Ramzan festivities are visible in the glittering bangle shops at Lad Bazaar, the brightly-lit apparel showrooms and packed haleem restaurants, the spirit of giving comes alive with a large number of Muslims busying themselves in calculating zakaat. From education to healthcare and to helping relatives belonging to economically-weaker sections, this spirit pervades the month.

According to scholars, zakaat is an Islam-mandated tax that ‘purifies’ wealth. It is calculated as 2.5% of one’s annual savings. Take the case of Mohammed Abdul Rafay. A resident of Mandi Miralam, he intends to use zakaat funds to sponsor the education of those from lesser-privileged backgrounds this year.

“There are several reports that talk about the dropout rate of schoolchildren. This will not happen when we help such families. The community is realising that instead of ad-hoc zakaat handouts, it’s better that the funds are used for improving socio-economic conditions of people,” he says.

With several big and small organisations channelising zakaat funds for education, Mr. Rafay says there is a tangible change, but more needs to be done.

Ali Asghar, an activist and resident of Lakdikapul, has been trying to create awareness on this aspect of zakaat. “The centralised collection of zakaat funds and its honest disbursal will bring about drastic change in the long run. Education and healthcare are two areas where spending is required. In terms of poverty alleviation, zakaat seeks to turn zakaat receiver into a zakaat payer so that he too helps people thereby reducing poverty,” he says.

Others including Shahnaz Fatima, a resident of Banjara Hills, believes that one’s poor relatives have the first right to zakaat funds. Quoting the scriptures, she says, “As the age-old saying goes, charity begins at home. It is always a good idea to help those closest to you”.