Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and is a form of worship that involves wealth. However, it is obligatory upon Muslims to pay a portion of their earnings once in a lunar (Hijra) year to the poor and the needy when their earnings reach a prescribed amount (called “Nisab” ) above their needs. Commanded to the Muslims in the second year of Hijra Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an: 

“And establish regular Prayer and give Zakah, and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in prayer).” (2:43)

 There are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to benefit from zakat funds and Allah has explained clearly this in the Holy Quran. He states that this is a duty imposed by Allah and that it is based on knowledge and wisdom. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen (the poor) 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 Allaah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise.

Qur’an 9:60

These eight are the categories who are entitled to zakaah and to whom it must be paid.

1. Fuqaraa’ (poor)
2. Al‑Masaakeen (poor people)
3. Those utilized to gather the zakaah reserves
4. To draw in the hearts of the individuals who have been inclinec towards Islam
5. To free the prisoners
6. To those paying off debtors
7. For Allah’s Cause
8. For the voyager (an explorer who is cut off from everything);

The first and second are the fuqara’ and masaakeen (poor people and penniless). They ought to be offered zakaah to address their needs. The difference between the fuqara’ and masaakeen is that the fuqara’ are in more noteworthy need; they do not have resources to sustain themselves and their families for a large portion of a year. The masaakeen are in a comparatively better situation than the fuqara’, in light of the fact that they have half of what they need. These individuals ought to be given Zakaah in light of their need.

Zakaah applies to explicit resources, which are:

1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Yields
4. Organic products
5. Exchange products
6. An’aam animals (i.e., camels, dairy cattle and sheep)

Zakaah is obligatory upon the conditions that one full Hijri (lunar) year have passed since securing the abundance, and that the abundance meet the base edge (nisaab), and it’s anything but a particular segment of riches.

Pay your Zakat for the goodwill of humanity and we are providing your this platform to fulfill this obligation. We spend this amount in welfare projects for the Al-Fuqaraa and Al-Masaakeen. Be a ray of hope for these people and cooperate with us to fulfill the basic needs of these deserving people.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (May Allah show benevolence toward him) said:

Zakaah is a demonstration of love towards Allah and it is the right of the poor. If a person is not fulfilling this obligation, he is disregarding two rights:

1. The right of Allah
2. The right of the poor people and other people who deserve Zakaah

After paying Zakaah, the individual should repent also as Allah likes those who repent as described in Surah Ash-Shura- Verse 25:

“He is the One Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons ˹their˺ sins. And He knows whatever you do. It is He who accepts repentance from his worshipers and forgives bad deeds, He knows what you do.”

What to do if I do have not enough money for paying Zakat for the past years?

The researchers have suggested that if an individual has not had enough money to pay Zakaah in the past years, he has to pay it when he possesses money. The same rule will apply to the Zakaah of the current year. We use the amount of Zakaah in different welfare projects as per Islamic rulings. The beneficiaries are Al-Fuqaraa and Al-Masaakeen.

Your Zakat is a ray of hope for all those who are unable to meet the basic needs of life.

As narrated by Abu Huraira: “

“A person came to our master the Prophet and said, ‘O the Messenger of Allah, I am ruined.’ The Prophet asked, ‘What happened?’ He said that he had broken the Ramadan fast intentionally. The Holy Prophet told him to free a slave. When he said that he had no slave, he ordered him to fast for two months incessantly. When he said that he was unable to do so, he told him to feed poor people.” 

The Kaffara for is:

1. To free a slave
2. To fast for 60 consecutive days
3. To feed sixty destitute individuals

Islamic Schools of Thought

As there is a difference of opinion to pay Kaffara, we recommend you contact your neighborhood researcher to get authentic advice.

As narrated in the Holy Quran:

“Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast), there is redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, will find it better for him; and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know.” (Qur’an 2:184)

The amount is $10 for each fast and this amount will be used in different welfare projects that are designed to help the needy and the poor. As there is a difference of opinion to pay Fidya, we recommend you contact your neighborhood researcher to decide whether you need to pay Ramadan Fidya or not.