One Ummah Blog - 1 Nov 2023
Zakah is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a compulsory act of worship that requires Muslims to donate 2.5% of their wealth.
It is the third pillar of Islam, is an obligatory act upon all qualifying Muslims and is the undertaking of submitting a set percentage of their profitable wealth to charity. It isn’t an optional act of generosity, it is a compulsory act that each qualifying Muslim needs to carry out annually – the giving of 2.5% of one’s profitable wealth to those in need.
Zakat al-Fitr is a duty paid during Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr is paid by everyone who can afford it (and the family head pays it on behalf of all dependants).
To find out the rate of zakat al-Fitr and make a donation, contact One Ummah before Eid al-Fitr.
Zakat translates to ‘purification’/ ’growth’. How is it that giving away part of our wealth purifies and grows it?
Allah says:
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
[Qur’an 2:261]
According to Islamic Fiqh, Zakat eligibility criteria exists if the following five conditions are met:
The person is a Muslim
Is a Free Person (Not applicable)
Meets the Nisaab
Complete Ownership of wealth
Elapse of one full lunar year / Islamic year over that wealth
This Includes:
Livestock
Agriculture / Crops
Gold
Stock/Merchandise prepared for sale. (Trade Goods)
If the value of one’s wealth reaches or exceeds the Nisaab, then Zakat is obligatory on the full amount. The Nisaab amount of monetary wealth is:
Gold - 85 grams (20 Mithqals)
Silver - 595 grams (200 Dirhams)
Cash - The value equivalent to 85 grams of Gold
Trade Goods - The value equivalent to 85 grams of Gold
Crops - 5 Awsuq (653 kg) per harvest. (5% non-irrigated, 10% non-irrigated)
Other mined minerals - The value equivalent to 85 grams of Gold
The following categories below are those stipulated in Islam. Not all of the categories are relevant to OUC as it only distributes according to those that align with UK charity law.
Al Fuqara’ (The Poor) - those who cannot afford what they need, whether through earning or otherwise.
Al Masakeen (The needy) - those who can afford some of their needs but not all.
Al-Amilina ‘Alayha (Administrators of Zakat) - They are those employed to collect it and those who are needed for it.
Al-Mu’allafah Qulubuhum (Reconciliation of Hearts) - those whose hearts may be reconciled. The authorities of those people, who may help evade evil & harm, or whose faith may be strengthened by giving them Zakat or may help retrieve Zakat that is owed and is being withheld.
Fir_-Riqab (those in Bondage) - free those who are indentured servants, slaves & captives.
Al Gharimoon (Those in Debt) - those in debt to Islamically permitted things.
Fee-Sabelillah (In the Cause of Allah) - This is traditionally understood as fighting in the way of Allah. A war sanctioned by the leader of a nation/people.
Ibn As-Sabeel (The Wayfarer) - The traveller who lacks the means to return home, even if he has wealth in his homeland. (by extension those who do not have access to their funds despite having it. Those displaced, Seeking Asylum and refugees)
These categories are taken directly from the Qur&an, as Allah says:
Ṣadaqa (Zakat) is for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.
[Qur’an 9:60]
As you know One Ummah is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, therefore it must abide by the laws that govern it. Those categories of Zakat that fall in line with the charity’s objectives and the objects within its constitution are those that the charity distributes
These categories are: Al Fuqara, Al Masakeen, ibn as Sabeel
Due to the nature of water wells being communal or built for small groups of people as opposed to a single person, it does not meet the condition of giving/transferring complete ownership of the wealth to a single person.
Schools, colleges, universities and other forms of educational institutes are not eligible for receiving Zakat. However, if the students are eligible for Zakat, it would be possible to donate to them.
Again, as you can see from the 8 categories of Zakat, there is no mention of buildings, mosques, schools etc.
Zakat generally cannot be given on behalf of another person. However, there are times when this is allowed. For example, Zakat can be given on behalf of a person’s spouse (wife/husband).
Zakat cannot be given to a person’s children, as we are obliged to take care of them. Therefore Zakat would not be applicable. It’s not permissible for someone to make a charitable donation towards their dependents.
The same applies to parents as children. Zakat cannot be given to a person’s parents as children are obliged to take care of their parents. This is a separate obligation from Zakat.
There is nothing wrong with a man or woman giving their zakaah to a poor brother or sister, because of the general meaning of the evidence. Indeed, giving zakaah to them is both an act of charity and upholding family ties.
There is nothing wrong with a man or woman giving their zakaah to a poor paternal uncle, paternal aunt or to any poor relative, because of the general meaning of the evidence. Indeed, giving zakaah to them is both an act of charity and upholding family ties.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity and charity given to a relative is a charity and upholding of family ties.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad, no. 15794; al-Nasaa’i, no. 2582).
Excluded from this are parents and those in the direct line of ascent, and children - male or female - and those in the direct line of descent; zakaah should not be given to them even if they are poor; rather you are obliged to spend on them from your own wealth, if you are able and if there is no one else who can spend on them.
Zakah Note
The foundation of giving Zakat is in cash or its equivalent. If a person chooses one of these categories to use his Zakat on after he has received it, that is up to the individual person. They can do as they please. However, the one giving the Zakat cannot impose this on the recipient of Zakat or make it conditional.
