Alms

Alms are charitable gifts of money, goods, or time given to those in need. They are traditionally motivated by compassion, religious duty, or moral obligation. The word alms comes from Old English elm, ultimately from Latin eleemosyna and Greek eleēmosynē, meaning mercy or charity.

In religious contexts, almsgiving is common across several faiths. In Islam, zakat is a mandatory form of almsgiving and one of the five pillars, typically calculated as a fixed portion of wealth for eligible recipients; voluntary charity is called sadaqah. In Christianity, almsgiving has long been encouraged as a corporal work of mercy, with practices ranging from personal gifts to organized distributions by churches and charities. Hinduism and Buddhism emphasize generosity (dāna) toward the needy, often including offerings of food, robes, or support for monastic communities; Jainism likewise promotes dana as a central ethical duty.

Forms and delivery methods vary but commonly include direct cash or goods to individuals, feeding programs, clothing drives, housing assistance, and medical or educational support. In modern societies, alms are frequently channeled through charitable organizations, religious institutions, or community service programs. Legal frameworks in many countries provide tax incentives for charitable donations and regulate charitable organizations.

Critiques of almsgiving address questions of effectiveness, dependency, and the balance between personal charity and structural social welfare. Critics argue that reliance on private alms can relieve governments of responsibility or fail to address root causes of poverty, while supporters contend that alms can provide immediate relief and express societal compassion.