Charity is an essential part of Islam for Muslims worldwide. Muslims can give charity in many forms and are not only limited to cash donations. However, paying Zakat is compulsory for Muslims who meet the criteria and must be paid annually. Below are some of the main forms of charity in Islam and their definitions.
Zakat
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and is therefore compulsory upon all physically and mentally healthy Muslims who meet the Nisab threshold. It is stated in the Qur’an:
“And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah.” (2:110, Qur’an)
This form of charity depends on a person’s wealth, including savings, property ownership, and other valuables. 2.5% of this is paid to those who are in need and deprived of any one of the basic human needs. Paying Zakat to those in need helps to purify one’s wealth and is a means of bringing one closer to Allah.
Sadaqah
Sadqah is a voluntary form of charity and can be as simple as a smile. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity.” (Tirmidhi)
Anything given to the poor and needy for the sake of Allah’s pleasure or spends money for any righteousness is Sadqah. Sadqa Jariyah is the name given to any charity that continuously benefits the receiver, even after the person who made the donation has passed away. These can be as simple as planting a tree, paying towards the construction of buildings that will be used for Islamic purposes, or even educating someone in something useful. Sadqa can also be given to prevent calamity. This can be in the form of cash donations and/or animal sacrifice.
Sadaqa-e-Fitr
Sadqa-e-Fitr/Fitrana is a wajib form of charity and is the charity paid for the blessed month of Ramadan so that we are atoned for any mistakes committed within that month. When this is paid and the poor benefit from this Sadqa, it not only helps the one giving charity but also helps to feed those in need. This is wajib for every person, including children, and is paid by the breadwinner of the household. Sadqa-e-Fitr is not dependent on one’s income and must be paid before the commencement of Salat-ul-Eid-ul-Fitr.
Hadrat Abdullah Ibn-e-Umar narrated that Allah's Messenger (ï·º) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim, slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx.) (Al-Bukhari, Muttafakun Alayh)
Fidya
Fidya refers to the payment of money due to the missing of any fasts because of some necessity, such as illness or pregnancy, and the fasts cannot be made up after Ramadan. Fidya is £5 a day, therefore the monthly cost for Fidya is £150.
Kaffarah
Kaffarah is specifically for the one who has broken a fast during the month of Ramadan without a valid reason. To make up for this fast, one must fast outside of the month of Ramadan for 60 consecutive days without a break. If this cannot be done, then they must pay/feed 60 needy people 2 meals a day. £300 will cover the cost of two meals for one day, feeding 60 people.