Zakat, Sadaqah, Fitrana & Lila

ZAKAT

What is Zakat?

Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam (the others are declaration of faith, prayer, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj). It is obligatory upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means. Donate your zakat today with Islamic Help and empower those in need.

The individual must own a specific amount of wealth or savings (after living costs, expenses etc). This is referred to as Nisaab and is the threshold at which Zakat becomes payable. The amount of Zakat to be paid is 2.5% of Nisaab .

“The alms are only for the Fuqara’ (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [Al-Quran 9:60]

Give your Zakat with Islamic Help to empower those most in need and help transform lives.You can rest easy in your faith, knowing that your Zakat donation will go directly to helping those who need it most, and help lift them out of poverty.

We work with the aim of empowering  those in need to break cycles of poverty and create bright futures free from the devastation of poverty. When you pay your Zakat online with us, you are helping some of the most vulnerable people in the world gain access to life-saving food, clean water, vital healthcare and support for orphans.

Why do we donate Zakat?

Zakat is not charity, nor is it a voluntary charity or a tax, but it is an obligation. By giving Zakat, a Muslim is acknowledging that everything we have belongs to Allah and we do not really own it, and we should use it to remember Allah and help those who are in need. It is also an act to help free us from excessive desire and greed, learn self-discipline and honesty.

Who needs to pay Zakat?

Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim who is of sound mind and able means, possessing wealth above the Nissab – this is the threshold or minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes payable.

People who aren’t mentally well, and people who genuinely cannot afford to do so because their total wealth and savings are below the Nisab do not need to pay Zakat.

When should we donate Zakat?

You should record the Islamic calendar date on which you first became the owner of Nisaab – if, on the same date the following lunar year, you are still the owner of Nisaab, you will be obliged to pay Zakat within the next year. Many Muslims choose to give their during Ramadan as the rewards for good deeds performed in Ramadan are greater than in any other month.

Who can receive Zakat?

Zakat can only be paid to specific beneficiaries and projects, as there are certain rules that must be followed when distributing Zakat. The Qur’an mentions eight groups of people on who Zakat should be spent:

• (Surat At-Tawbah 9:60)

• The Fuqara’ (the poor)

• Al-Maskin (the needy)

• Aamileen (Zakat collector)

• Muallafatul Quloob (poor and needy who recently converted to Islam)

• Ar-Riqaab (slaves; Zakat can be used to purchase their freedom)

• Ibnus-Sabeel: A stranded traveller in need of financial assistance.

• Al Ghaarimeen: A debtor

• Fi Sabeelillah: Those who are away from home in the path of Allah

 

How is Zakat calculated?

There are two measures to determine Nisaab – gold (3 ounces or 87.48 grams, or its cash equivalent) or silver (21 ounces or 612.36 grams, or its cash equivalent).

Using today’s (April 2020) value of gold (87.48 grams), the nisaab is £3,878.86

Today’s value of silver (612.36 grams), the nisaab is £241.27

Have you tried our Zakat Calculator?

Gold: For example, if the price of gold is £20 a gram, the Nisaab (£20 x 87.48) on which Zakat is due is £1,749. So anyone who has £1,749 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% Zakat on that (minimum Zakat will be £43.73).

Silver: if the price of silver is £1 a gram, the Nisaab (£1 x 612.36) on which Zakat is due is £612.36. So anyone who has £612.36 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% Zakat on that (minimum Zakat will be £15.31).

PLEASE NOTE: These are only examples. If you wish to calculate your zakat, you must obtain up to date information on the price of gold and silver.

What do I include in my wealth/assets for Zakat?

Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (in hand, in bank accounts or money lent to someone), shares, pensions, gold and silver. Personal items such as your home, furniture, cars, food or clothing are not included in Nisaab.

Should I use gold or silver to calculate Nisaab?

While it is permissible to use either gold or silver to calculate Nisaab, many scholars recommend using silver as more people paying Zakat means more of the poor and needy benefit.

Does Zakat need to be paid in one go, or can I pay in monthly instalments?

Zakat can be paid in instalments throughout the year, if you pay the full amount by the end of the lunar year. This can work well if you have a steady income, and can predict how much you will earn in the 12 month period. Many of our Zakat applicable projects have monthly payments.

 

SADAQAH

What is Sadaqah/Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah Jariyah is the act of voluntary ongoing charity and is one of the easiest ways to help those in need around the world. We rely on the kindness and generosity of our donors to ensure that these individuals are supported on both a short-term and long-term basis.

Sadaqah Jariyah Explained

In Islam, there are many forms of ongoing charity, including Zakat and Sadaqah. While both types of charity are encouraged, there are important differences.

Zakat is an obligatory act of charity that forms one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Sadaqah, on the other hand, is entirely voluntary, and brings a range of benefits to both the recipient and the donor.

Sadaqah can be broken down into two categories:

1. Sadaqah

Sadaqah describes a voluntary charitable act towards another being, whether through generosity, love, compassion or faith. These acts are not always physical or monetary; simple things like a good deed, a helping hand, a smile, guiding others towards the right path and preventing evil are all seen as acts of Sadaqah.

These acts are carried out with Allah SWT in mind.

2. Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah jariya describes charitable acts that are both voluntary and ongoing, to benefits others for today and for the future, too. These acts hold more benefit for the recipients, and, as such, can benefit the donor, too.

The Benefits of Sadaqah in Islam

In Islam, there are many sadaqah jariyah ahadith that describe the benefits of these acts. It is believed by many that the reward for these acts is so great that is can continue long after an individual has passed, so long as the benefits of the act continue to be felt by others.

In fact, many choose to perform acts of sadaqah jariyah on behalf of their deceased loved ones in order for the ongoing rewards to benefit the deceased in their Hereafter.

 

FITRANA

What is Zakāt al-Fiṭr?

Zakāt al-Fiṭr is a zakāh which is given at the end of the month of Ramaḍān by every Muslim, small or old, male or female, whether free or a slave.

Sadaqat-ul-fitr is an obligation for every Muslim, male or female, who owns 613.35 grams of silver or its equivalent, either in the form of money, ornaments, stock-in-trade, or in the form of some goods or commodities beyond one's normal needs. Every person who owns such an amount has to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr, not only on behalf of himself but also on behalf of his minor children. The prescribed amount of Sadaqat-ul-fitr is 1.75 Kilograms of wheat or its value in money. This amount is prescribed for paying Sadaqat-ul-fitr for one person only. If a person has some minor children, the same amount has to be paid on behalf of each one of them separately. The following points must be remembered concerning the payment of Sadaqat-ul-fitr.

Sadaqat-ul-fitr is obligated on each adult male or female separately, and the relevant adult person himself is responsible to pay it. The husband is not required to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of his wife nor is the wife supposed to pay it on behalf of her husband. Similarly, a father is not bound to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of his adult children or vice-versa. However, if the head of the family, by his own free will, wishes to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr for each one of the members of his family, he should seek their authorization for that purpose. In this case the Sadaqat-ul-fitr paid by him will be valid on their behalf. If he did not pay the Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of any of the members of his family, he will not be responsible for it. Rather, it is the duty of every adult member of the family to discharge his own obligation or to request the head of the family to pay it on his or her behalf.

It is a Sunnah that the Sadaqat-ul-fitr is paid before performing the 'Eid prayer. It can also be paid before the 'Eid day, but it is not advisable to delay it up to the performance of'Eid prayer. However, if a person has failed to pay on its proper time, he should pay it as soon as possible, whereby the obligation will stand discharged.

The Sadaqat-ul-fitr is not necessary on behalf of a child who was born after the break of dawn in the 'Eid day, nor is it necessary to pay Sadaqat-ul-fitr on behalf of a person who dies before the dawn of the Eid day.

Sadaqat-ul-fitr should be paid only to a person who is entitled to receive Zakah.

 

LILLAH 

Lillah meaning ‘for Allah’, comprises any form of charity given in the cause of Allah on a pure voluntary basis. This charitable giving is over and above the Zakat that one is liable for.
For instance, many charitable organisations collect Lillah for relief aid, wells, masjids and madrasah running costs. These contributions are made through the goodwill of Muslims who give solely for the pleasure of Allah.

Zakat can only be spent directly on the poor (money in hand) and not on projects such as construction; whereas Lillah can be utilised in constructing masjids, digging wells and projects such as covering school running costs. Zakat money cannot be used for such projects.

Please donate to charity Lillah for such projects.