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Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam

Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam

Zakat

What is Zakat?

Zakat, or the donation of alms to the poor and needy, is one of Islam's five pillars (the others are declaration of faith, prayer, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj). It is required of all adult Muslims of sound mind and means. Give your zakat to Islamic Help today and help those in need.

 

Try our Zakat Calculator:

Individuals must have a certain amount of wealth or investments (after living costs, expenses etc). This is known as Nisaab, and it is the point at which Zakat becomes payable. The sum of Zakat to be paid is 2.5 percent of Nisaab.

"The alms are only for the Fuqara' (the poor, and Al-Masakin (the needy) 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 Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower; All-Wise."

(Al-Quran 9:60)

"They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it."

(Al-Quran 2:215)

Give your Zakat through Islamic Help to empower those in need and change lives. You can be assured in your faith, trusting that your Zakat contribution would go directly to those in need, lifting them out of poverty.

We seek to empower those in need in order to break the cycle of poverty and build promising futures free of the devastation caused by poverty. When you pay your Zakat online with us, you are assisting some of the world's most needy people in gaining access to life-saving food, clean water, critical healthcare, and orphan assistance.

 

Why do we give Zakat?

Zakat is not a charitable contribution, nor is it a levy, but it is a duty. A Muslim who pays Zakat acknowledges that all we have belongs to Allah and that we do not really own it, and that we should use it to remember Allah and support those in need. It is also an act to help us practise self-discipline and integrity, as well as to liberate us from greed. 

Who needs to pay Zakat?

Zakat is mandatory for a Muslim who is of sound mind and able means who has wealth in excess of the Nissab – the level or minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must have before Zakat becomes payable.

People who are mentally ill or who simply cannot afford to pay Zakat because their overall wealth and investments are less than the Nisab do not have to pay it.

 

When should we give Zakat?

You should keep track of the Islamic calendar date on which you first become the owner of Nisaab; if you are already the owner of Nisaab on the same date the next lunar year, you will be required to pay Zakat within the following year. Many Muslims choose to give during Ramadan because the rewards for good deeds are greater than during any other month.

Who can receive Zakat?

Zakat can only be paid to specific beneficiaries and projects, as there are certain rules that must be followed when distributing Zakat. The Qur’an mentions eight groups of people on who Zakat should be spent:

  1. The Fuqara’ (the poor)
  2. Al-Maskin (the needy)
  3. Aamileen (Zakat collector)
  4. Muallafatul Quloob (poor and needy who recently converted to Islam)
  5. Ar-Riqaab (slaves; Zakat can be used to purchase their freedom)
  6. Ibnus-Sabeel: A stranded traveller in need of financial assistance.
  7. Al Ghaarimeen: A debtor
  8. Fi Sabeelillah: Those who are away from home in the path of Allah

 

How is Zakat calculated?

There are two measures to determine Nisaab – gold (85 grams, or its cash equivalent) or silver (609 grams, or its cash equivalent).

Price of Gold per gram as of 24/04/2021: 73.71 AUD (per g), the nisaab is 6,265.35 AUD

Price of Silver per gram as of 24/04/2021: 1.0800 AUD (per g), the nisaab is approximately 657.52 AUD

Have you tried our Zakat Calculator?

Gold:

For example, if the price of gold is $80 a gram, the Nisaab ($80 x 85) on which Zakat is due is $6,800. So anyone who has $6,800 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% Zakat on that (minimum Zakat will be $170).

 

Silver:

if the price of silver is $1 a gram, the Nisaab ($1 x 657.52) on which Zakat is due is $657.52. So anyone who has $657.52 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% Zakat on that (minimum Zakat will be $16.44).

 

PLEASE NOTE: These are only examples. If you wish to calculate your zakat, you must obtain up to date information on the price of gold and silver.

 

What do I include in my wealth/assets for Zakat?

Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (in hand, in bank accounts or money lent to someone), shares, pensions, gold and silver. Personal items such as your home, furniture, cars, food or clothing are not included in Nisaab.

 

Should I use gold or silver to calculate Nisaab?

While it is permissible to use either gold or silver to calculate Nisaab, many scholars recommend using silver as more people paying Zakat means more of the poor and needy benefit.

 

Does Zakat need to be paid in one go, or can I pay in monthly instalments?

Zakat can be paid in instalments throughout the year, if you pay the full amount by the end of the lunar year. This can work well if you have a steady income, and can predict how much you will earn in the 12 month period. Many of our Zakat applicable projects have monthly payments.

 

Have you tried our Zakat Calculator?

written by |IH Australia
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