The Forgotten Zakah: Zakah of Knowledge

Aug 31, 2025 · 4 min read

Zakah of Knowledge: A Forgotten Obligation

When we hear the word zakah, our minds usually go to zakah of maal (wealth) or zakah al-fitr. But there is another form that is not often talked about — the zakah of knowledge (zakah al-‘ilm).

Both in knowledge of the deen and knowledge of the dunya, dispersing what we learn is essential. Alhamdulillah, I first heard about this concept from my teacher several years ago, who in turn heard it from his teacher. He said:

“What I am teaching you, the condition is: zakah of knowledge is that you teach it to at least five people. That is fulfilling the right of knowledge.”
(in Bengali, we might say: ilm-er haqq aday kora)

This simple advice stayed with me. Knowledge is a trust. It is not just for our personal growth, but something that should benefit others.

Fulfilling the Rights of Knowledge

For all forms of knowledge — whether religious or worldly — may Allah allow us to fulfil its rights by teaching it to others. When we do so, there are immense benefits, both for us and for the wider community.

One useful resource on this topic is IslamOnline’s article The Zakat of Life. Below is a key excerpt:

Najm al-Dīn al-ʿUzzī said:
“There is no doubt that in the inheritance of the nation is the Book, and that knowledge is first in honor and purification of them, and which zakat is greater than the zakat of knowledge, and accessing the secrets of knowledge, and the facts of monotheism (Tawheed). There is no doubt that one who increases his knowledge increases his work and his conditions grow and develop, otherwise his knowledge would not have been taken into consideration, nor would he have paid any attention to it.”
— IslamOnline

Forms of Zakah of Knowledge

IslamOnline mentions several ways to fulfil zakah of knowledge. Here are some highlights:

1. Spreading Knowledge

Allah says:

“You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it.” (Āl-‘Imrān 3:187)

And He also says:

“…to warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them.” (At-Tawbah 9:122)

The Prophet ﷺ said during his sermon at Mina:

“Let him who is present convey to him who is absent, for many whom a message is conveyed has a more retentive memory than one who hears.”
— [Bukhari and Muslim]

And in another narration:

“He who is asked something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the Day of Resurrection.”
— [Abu Dawood]

2. Acting Upon Knowledge

Knowledge without action is incomplete. Abu Hatim said:

“Even if a person acts upon five hadiths out of every two hundred he knows, it is as if he has paid the zakah of knowledge.”

Malik ibn Dinar said:

“If a servant seeks knowledge in order to work with it, his knowledge breaks him. But if he seeks knowledge for other than action, it only increases him in pride.”

3. Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Allah says:

“Let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. And those will be the successful.”
(Āl-‘Imrān 3:104)

Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd (rahimahullah) summarized the zakah of knowledge beautifully:

“Give the zakah of knowledge by: upholding the truth, enjoining good, forbidding evil, balancing between good and harm, spreading knowledge, loving to benefit, giving honor, and interceding for Muslims in matters of truth and goodness.”
— Hilyah Ṭālib al-‘Ilm, p. 191

Conclusion

Knowledge is a gift from Allah ﷻ, but it comes with responsibility. Just like we purify our wealth with zakah, we purify our knowledge by sharing it, acting upon it, and using it to benefit others.

May Allah allow us to give the zakah of our knowledge and fulfil its rights.

Last updated on Aug 31, 2025