Ramadan is a blessed month to give your Zakat, as it’s the month in which there is the most reward for our good deeds. It’s also a way to cleanse ourselves of any shortcomings or misconduct during the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a blessed month to give your Zakat, as it’s the month in which there is the most reward for our good deeds. It’s also a way to cleanse ourselves of any shortcomings or misconduct during the month of Ramadan.
Zakat. It’s one of the most important things a Muslim will do in their life. It removes attachment from the world, connects you with Allah (swt) and the poor, as well as purifying our wealth.
The term Zakat is an Arabic word that means ‘to purify’. This means that giving Zakat purifies your wealth; it’s a source of immense baraka, or blessing. It’s also obligatory on every Muslim who has above the Nisab threshold.
How many types of Zakat are there in Islam?
Did you know Zakat comes in two types? There is Zakat ul Mal and Zakat ul Fitr.
The first difference between Zakat and Zakat ul Fitr is eligibility. All Muslims, who have enough food for a day, must pay Zakat ul Fitr (otherwise known as Fitrana) regardless of their age or financial status. However, Zakat is given only if a Muslim has the Nisab level. The nisab threshold is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must have before he or she becomes eligible to pay Zakat.
The second difference lies in the amount due. The amount attributed to Zakat al Fitr is very small – with Penny Appeal, it costs just £3.50, the cost of a nutritious meal. It is the same amount for all, regardless of financial situation.
Zakat, however, depends on your personal wealth, because it’s comprised of 2.5% of all net savings, so it varies greatly from person to person.
The third difference lies in their due dates. Zakat can be paid at any time, with the only condition being that the earnings reflect one year’s worth of net savings (one lunar year).
Zakat ul Fitr, or Fitrana, however, is paid during Ramadan before the month ends. It needs to be paid before the Eid prayers at the very latest. This is a very specific time frame that all Muslims must abide by. To learn more about how to pay this through Penny Appeal, click here.
The categories of Zakat
The Prophet (saw) is reported to have said that Zakat is divided into 8 parts.
This is in reference to Surah Al-Taubah (9:60): “Sadaqah (i.e. Zakat) is for the poor, the needy, those employed to administer [the funds], those whose hearts have been reconciled [to the truth], for those in slavery, those in debt, in the cause of Allah and for the wayfarer; [thus it has been] ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.”
The 8 parts are as follows:
Al-Fuqara: The Poor
Al-Masakin: The Needy
Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha: Administrators of Zakat
Al-Mu’allafati-Qulubuhum: Reconciliation of Hearts
Fir-Riqab: For those in Bondage
Al-Gharimin: Those in Debt
Fi-Sabilillah: In the Cause of Allah
Ibnas-Sabil: The Wayfarer
Who can’t we give Zakat to?
Muslim jurists agreed that Zakat cannot be given to the following people:
1. The rich (except when such are among the workers of Zakat or the wayfarer).
2. Those capable but not willing to work.
3. Non-Muslims and those who fight against Islam.
4. Ascendants, descendants and wives of the payer.
5. The family of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
When is the best time to give Zakat?
As written above, Zakat ul-Fitr or Fitrana, must be paid during Ramadan before the last Eid prayer. To ensure you have an accepted Ramadan, ensure to give your Fitrana amount in 2020 as soon as you can.
Ramadan is a blessed month to give your Zakat, as it’s the month in which there is the most reward for our good deeds. It’s also a way to cleanse ourselves of any shortcomings or misconduct during the month of Ramadan.
Find out more about Penny Appeal’s 100% Zakat policy and our life-changing Zakat appeals here.
To find out more about Penny Appeal, click here.
