Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

zakah and khums

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: zakah and khums

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about zakah and khums. Then check against the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Zakah and Khums, UK Context, UK Context. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: RS Exam Tips — Zakah and Khums, UK Context, UK Context.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: zakah and khums. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain two reasons why zakah is important for Muslims.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about zakah and khums.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: zakah and khums

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on zakah and khums. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: Zakah is the third Pillar of Islam — Muslims must give 2.5% of their surplus wealth each year to charity. It is not optional; it is a religious duty and a form of worship. Shi'a Muslims also pay khums (20% of surplus income) to their religious leaders.
RS Exam Tips — Zakah and Khums: 1. For Zakah and Khums questions, always include specific scriptural or source references where relevant 2. Explain both religious and non-religious viewpoints 3. Use specialist vocabulary precisely (e.g. terms from the specification) 4. Evaluate by analysing strengths and weaknesses of different views before reaching your conclusion 5. Link your discussion of Zakah and Khums to its real-world impact on believers and society
UK Context: If a British Muslim has savings of £20,000 held for a full year above the nisab threshold, they would pay £500 in zakah (2.5% of £20,000). Islamic Relief UK and the National Zakat Foundation provide online zakah calculators to help British Muslims calculate their obligation accurately.
UK Context: In the UK, Shi’a mosques and centres such as the Al-Khoei Foundation in London and the Imam Ali Foundation collect and distribute khums according to the guidance of their marja. These funds support religious schools, community programmes and charitable work both in Britain and internationally.
UK Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, British Muslim charities mobilised rapidly to support the wider community. The National Zakat Foundation distributed emergency food parcels, Islamic Relief UK provided grants to families affected by job losses, and mosques across the country offered their premises as vaccination centres — demonstrating how Islamic charitable principles extend beyond the Muslim community.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Explain two reasons why zakah is important for Muslims.

Answer: 1) Zakah purifies wealth — by giving away 2.5% of their surplus, Muslims acknowledge that all wealth ultimately belongs to Allah and they are merely its stewards. Hoarding wealth is condemned in the Qur'an. 2) Zakah reduces inequality — it redistributes wealth from the rich to the poor, ensuring everyone's basic needs are met. This creates a more just and caring society and prevents the extreme poverty that damages the ummah.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: zakah and khums

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Zakah and Khums, UK Context, UK Context. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Explain two reasons why zakah is important for Muslims.

Answer: 1) Zakah purifies wealth — by giving away 2.5% of their surplus, Muslims acknowledge that all wealth ultimately belongs to Allah and they are merely its stewards. Hoarding wealth is condemned in the Qur'an. 2) Zakah reduces inequality — it redistributes wealth from the rich to the poor, ensuring everyone's basic needs are met. This creates a more just and caring society and prevents the extreme poverty that damages the ummah.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: zakah and khums

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Exam-Style Question

Attempt a past-paper style question on zakah and khums from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders) | Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions | Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life) | For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion | Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society | Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often think jihad means "holy war." Wrong: "Jihad means holy war." Correct: "Jihad means "struggle" or "striving." Greater jihad is the internal spiritual struggle to live as a good Muslim. Lesser jihad is armed struggle, which has strict conditions and is a last resort."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how zakah and khums connects to another Religious Studies topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of zakah and khums
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in zakah and khums?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

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