Zakat / Sadaqah

FI'SABIL'ILLAH UK will ensure that your donations are used in the correct manner, taking into account the preference you have made i.e. Zakat or Sadaqah.

 

Zakat

 

"True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, to give of one’s substance, however cherished, to kinsmen, and orphans, the needy, the traveller, beggars, and to ransom the slave, to perform the prayer, to pay the zakat.” (Qur’an 2:177)

 

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam.  The literal meaning of Zakat is ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’. In Islam, Zakat means purifying your wealth for the will of Allah (swt) and to acknowledge that everything we own belongs to Allah (swt).  

 

According to Islamic regulations, the minimum Zakat is 2.5% of one year’s total cumulative wealth.  This amount is then distributed to the poor.  Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said “Whoever pays the zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him” (Ibn Khuzaimah and at-Tabaraani).

 

The people that are eligible to receive Zakat money include the poor and suffering.  They can be any of the following:

 

• The Poor & The Needy – these people may have some wealth and funds but it is not enough to make up for the nisaab (the minimum amount of wealth that one must have before Zakat is payable).

• The Destitute – People who have no wealth or funds. They are living their life on the very basics necessities of life.

• Zakat Collectors – People who collect Zakat as well as distribute it.

• Muslim Converts – This category was specifically designed to get new Muslim converts who were genuinely poor on their feet. It still exists to this day.

• People in Debt – People who are in debt but cannot pay it back are eligible for Zakat.

• Travellers – Muslims who are in the middle of their journey and out of money are eligible for zakat donations.

 

Zakat cannot be used for

• building mosques

• to bury the deceased  

• to clear the debt of the deceased

 

Sadaqah

 

Sadaqah can refer to a variety of acts which bring joy or benefit to others – for example, smiling at someone, speaking a kind word, helping them or removing harm from their way – but the word is most commonly used to refer to voluntary charitable giving.

 

While Zakat is an obligatory charity due from every Muslim on a yearly basis, Sadaqah is an entirely voluntary charity which can be performed at any time of year, and any amount can be given.  Unlike Zakat, which has a number of stipulations regarding the type of assistance it can provide, Sadaqah can be used for any project or programme which is of benefit to people.

 

"When a man passes away, his good deeds will also come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)" Narrated by Abu Hurairah, Sahih Muslim

 

An important concept within that of Sadaqah, is the idea of Sadaqah Jaariyah – an ‘ongoing charity’. Many Muslims are eager to give charity which will continue to have benefit to people after their death, and continue to earn them reward.

 

Any charity which continues to have positive effects in the long-term, beyond immediate relief, can be considered a Sadaqah Jaariyah: building masjids, homes, schools and hospitals; installing durable water systems; turning an area of land into a farm which continues to give crops for years to come; donating a wheelchair to a hospital, planting a tree that grows produce etc.