One Ummah News - 27 Mar 2024
Zakat is a religious obligation bestowed upon every Muslim who qualifies; through it, we honour the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammadﷺ who consistently gave generously to benefit the poor and the needy. Give Zakat in Ramadan and multiply your deeds immensely.
Zakat is a religious obligation bestowed upon every Muslim who qualifies; through it, we honour the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammadﷺ who consistently gave generously to benefit the poor and the needy. Give Zakat in Ramadan and multiply your deeds immensely.
It is a means of Infaq Fi Sabilillah (spending in the way of Allahﷻ) and upholding Qist (justice) by distributing wealth where it is needed most. Our wealth is purified by sharing Allah’sﷻ Rizq (sustenance) with righteous Sabr.
As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Zakat is the annual purification of one’s wealth by sharing with the less fortunate. It is more than just a religious duty; it embodies Islam’s true compassion. But what is Zakat, why is it important, and how can we fulfil this religious obligation to please Allahﷻ?
Qur’an
“Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.”
(Quran 9:103)
Annually, eligible Muslims donate 2.5% of their savings once certain conditions are met. Zakat is important in Islam as it represents spiritual purification and social justice. Ultimately, all of our wealth belongs to our Creator. Give Zakat in Ramadan and purify your wealth by dedicating a portion to noble causes that help the needy.
There are guidelines to follow when paying Zakat. Most are outlined in the Qur’an, which defines those who are qualified to pay Zakat as:
Muslim adults sane and free (not enslaved)
Possess wealth above the minimum Nisab threshold
Wealth owned by them for one lunar year before Zakat is due
Wealth must qualify for zakah e.g. gold, cash, income
Livestock, business merchandise and farms used for trade
If a person borrows wealth, their wealth is reserved or tied up in liabilities, or their net wealth doesn’t reach the Nisab threshold, they are not required to pay.
The Prophet Muhammadﷺ said
“…Teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.”
[Bukhari]
There are also guidelines on who is eligible to receive Zakat:
The poor
The hungry
Zakat administrators
Revert Muslims who require financial assistance
Those in extreme debt
Those engaged in noble deeds for the sake of Allahﷻ
Stranded or struggling travellers
Zakat must be paid when the following conditions are met:
Reaching the Nisab: This minimum wealth threshold determines your eligibility. Today, the equivalent of 87.48 grams of gold (£3767.35) is the current benchmark.
Completing a Hawl: One lunar year (354 days) must pass after reaching the Nisab for Zakat to become due.
You can easily calculate your Zakat here with our Zakat Calculator.
The benefits of Zakah extend beyond our religious duty. By purifying wealth through Zakat, we cleanse our hearts of greed and material attachment. It lifts us from this Dunya and reminds us of the ultimate goal: Jannat al-Firdous. You also strengthen your Emaan through your generosity and compassion. The act of giving opens doors for more incredible blessings from Allahﷻ.
Zakat instils solidarity within communities as individuals connect through giving and receiving Zakat. We share the responsibility for the well-being of the Ummah, and this worship unifies communities by bridging the gap between the wealthy and the poor.
The month of Ramadan is a time when good deeds are multiplied greatly. Allahﷻ promises immense rewards for fully immersing yourself into the holy month and its traditions, such as fasting, Qur’an recitation, night prayers and other virtuous acts. One act of worship especially emphasised in Ramadan is giving Zakat, and it contains special blessings and benefits:
The Ajr is multiplied and each penny given will be worth significantly more in Hasanat
Giving Zakat in Ramadan is a way of purifying the soul, just as fasting simultaneously purifies the body
You enable the poor to partake in the virtues of Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid
The one who facilitates another Muslim’s Iftar by giving Zakat will earn the immense reward of the one fasting also
Zakat in Ramadan brings Barakah in wealth and forgiveness in sins
Qur’an
“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 traveler, beggars, and to ransom the slave, to perform the prayer, to pay the zakat.”
(Qur’an 2:177)
Thanks to the Most-Gracious, Most-Merciful, your Zakat donations benefit tens of thousands every year. You’re a lifeline for the most vulnerable beneficiaries, such as malnourished children and families living in conflict. Last year, your generous donations allowed us to distribute over 8,000 Zakat packs, and your Zakat ul-Fitr donations provided 10,000 hot meals to those desperately lacking proper nutrition.
Your Zakat relieves the hardships of the most vulnerable and impoverished people, especially during Ramadan. There are consequences of not giving Zakat if you’re obligated to.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (r.a.) The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.”
[Bukhari]
Fulfilling our duty to Allahﷻ is crucial, and it is equally important that we do it for those less fortunate. This is a tax that benefits the poor, and without it, the future looks bleak for millions of Muslims.
Be the hand that feeds this Ramadan.
From everybody in the One Ummah team, Ramadan Mubarak.
Jazakum Allah Khayr.
