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Zakat

Zakat means growth (nam'a), blessings (barakah), purification (taharah), or appreciation (madh). It is called zakat because one's wealth grows through the blessings of giving part of it and the prayer of those who receive it. Zakat purifies its giver of his/her sins and is clearly ordered by God. The Quran says "Take alms of their wealth and make them pure and clean " (9:103).

There are two main type of zakat:

1- Zakat on self (zakat al-fitr or fitra). This zakat is caused by breaking the fasting at the end of Ramadan. it is sometime called sadaqat al-fitr. Zakat ul-fitr is leived on individual and not on his/her wealth. Zakat ul-Fitr is mandatory for every Muslim, young, old, men, women, free and captive.

2- Zakat on wealth(zakat ul-mal).Zakat was instituted among Muslims to carry out a variety of objectives. Islam ordained zakat to achieve, through it, social justice and sublime moral and spiritual values. It is a criterion for the believers and a way to success in this life and the next. Allah says, "Who establishes worship and spend of that we have bestowed upon them, these are the true believers. For them are grades of honor with their Lord, and forgiveness, and a beautiful provision". [8:3-4]

Your zakat contributions will provide support for the Fuqara'a,  Masakeen, and other qualifed people, as listed in Quran, Sura Tawba. We encourage you to use our Zakat Calculator to estimate your zakat due, and if you have any questions, please contact us with your specific question.

The Recipients of Zakat:

If a person does not fall into any of the following categories, then they are prohibited from receiving zakat.

1. THE MASAKEEN: A person who dont have anything to eat and wear. "But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. And what will make you know the path that is steep? (It is) freeing a neck (slave), or giving food in a day of hunger to an orphan near of kin, or to a miskeen afflicted with misery. [90:11-16]

2. THE FUQARAA: These people may have money, but it is not sufficient for their basic needs. Others have stated that these people have nothing. Allah says, "If they are Fuqaraa (poor), Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty". [24:32]

3. ZAKAT COLLECTORS: These are persons that the authority employs to collect the zakat.

4. ALLAH'S CAUSE: General opinion is that this term embraces every kind of  struggle for a righteous cause. including expenditures of toward the propagation  of Islam and for all charitable purposes. 

5. THE DEBTORS: Debtors are those people burdened by debts because of personal needs or social necessity; such as the person who borrows to spend on himself and his family. This person is given zakat if he does not have enough money beyond his basic needs to repay his debt.

6. WAYFARER: The wayfarer is the traveler stranded in a foreign land and is in need of money to achieve his objective or return to his own country. This person can receive zakat, if the purpose for traveling were lawful. If the purpose were unlawful, then he should not receive any moneys from zakat because it would help him in his sins. Allah warns us, "Help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not one another in sins and transgression. [5:2]   

7. FREEING CAPTIVES: This shows that zakat can be paid in order to buy a slave and then free him or her.

8. ATTRACTING HEARTS: Zakat is also to be paid to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam or to prevent the harm of non-Muslims residing within the Muslim state.

 
 

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