Alms are often provided to people who are in need, including the homeless, the elderly, and the sick. In many societies, almsgiving is viewed as an essential part of social responsibility, and it is often institutionalized through charitable organizations or religious communities. While the form of almsgiving has evolved over time, the core idea remains the same: providing assistance to those who are less fortunate in order to alleviate their suffering.
Almsgiving is a concept found across many different religions, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In Islam, for example, the act of giving alms is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as Zakat, which requires Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to those in need. In Christianity, the Bible encourages followers to give alms as a way to show compassion and generosity.