Islam has two distinct terms for the action of almsgiving: sadaqah and zakat. In examining different works in the Islamic tradition from the seventh to the twelfth centuries it is clear that sadaqah and zakat distinct. This position stands in opposition to the two commonly held notions on subject. A close examination revels that zakat had a constant definition in the early and medieval Islamic community and in addition the term has consistently been linked to the religion of Islam, while sadaqah on the other hand has been a more fluid term. The term sadaqah was applied to numerous practices which have been both religious and non-religious.