Charity, in its broadest sense, has been called Sadaqah in Islam. Such great importance is attached to the charity that the month of Ramazan has been fixed for individuals to be trained in the practice of charity. Therefore, it has been made into an institution to give it permanence and regularity. The law of Zakat, i.e., to take from the wealthy and give to the poor, rotates wealth in such a way as to balance social inequality. There are two forms of charity in Islam—obligatory and voluntary, called Zakat and Sadaqah. The verb Zakat, which signifies ‘to thrive’; ‘to be wholesome’; ‘to be pure’; means purification. Giving up a portion of one’s wealth, which is more than what one needs for one’s sustenance, is a purifying process that legitimizes the use of the remainder by the donor. The term Sadaqah is also, in some instances, used in an inclusive sense to cover all kinds of charity and should be interpreted according to the context. From the root Sadaqah, ‘to speak the truth; to be true’ literally means righteousness. Ibn Arabi explains it as a ‘voluntary act of worship, a choice made by one’s own free will. If this is not the case, then it is not voluntary Sadaqah. For man makes it obligatory upon himself as God makes mercy obligatory upon Himself towards those who repent.’