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This is a quick guide to everything you need to know about giving Zakat this year as well as links to helpful tools!
What is Zakat?
It is the third pillar of Islam. It’s a form of religious social welfare. This means that Muslims who own a certain amount have to give a percentage of this wealth those in need across eight different categories. Zakat is an act of worship. It is actually compulsory upon Muslims every year if their wealth exceeds a certain amount.
This act is both a spiritual duty and a vital part of the Islamic social welfare system.
It is more than just a payment or a random act of charity. This form of giving is a unique form of religious social welfare which can help the whole community.
Why do we give Zakat?
The purpose of Zakat is really to increase faith and devotion to Allah (God). It also acts as a social safety net for those in need. And is also a means to uplift the entire community and help Muslims and Islam to thrive. It is a pillar of Islam and works together with the other four pillars as a way of upholding and strengthening the religion.
By giving, Muslims also cleanse their wealth. And it helps to keep the money flowing through the economy, freeing people from burden and giving them the chance to reach their potential.
Zakat, when it works properly, can have a long-term positive impact on the state of the whole Muslim community.
Where should we give?
Scholars from all the four schools of thought encourage giving out Zakat in your local community unless there’s a surplus or a specific emergency.
A famous Hadith also confirms this emphasis on giving locally:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger; if they obey you in doing so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (i.e., every twenty-four hours); and if they obey you in doing so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to their poor.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
If you want to give Zakat in your community, NZF is the place to do it. They distribute Zakat to Muslims here in the UK every single day.
How to calculate Zakat?
Muslims are told to give 2.5% of our qualifying wealth yearly in Zakat. Anyone who’s a Muslim, adult (has reached puberty)* and is of sound mind, is expected to give if they have the minimum amount of wealth, which is known as the Nisab. You can use the NZF Calculator and it will instantly tell you if you own more than the current Nisab rate.
*The Shafi’I, Maliki & Hanbali schools state that qualifying wealth owned by the children and those not of sound mind is subject to Zakat.
What does National Zakat Foundation do?
NZF is the only platform with a national reach that receives your money and distributes it to thousands of Muslims in need across the UK.
Since their very first day in 2011, they have been committed to building a closer, thriving Muslim community powered by your donations.
How can you get involved with the NZF?
NZF allows you to do more than just give. It takes you along on the journey. From helping you calculate what you owe, to showing the impact your donation had through ZakaTracker. Check out all the amazing tech NZF have on offer:
ZakaTracker
In addition to the above NZF will also be offering:
- 90 Min Zakat Calculation Masterclasses to help you learn how to calculate in an easy and simple way
- FREE personal 1-2-1 consultations with a Zakat expert at a time that suits you.
Get started now and visit NZF here today!
