“The best charity is that given in Ramadhan.

”
[At-Tirmithi].

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, peace and blessings of Allah be
upon His Beloved, the Final Prophet, Our Master Sayyiduna Muhammad,
upon whom be eternal and exalted blessings, and on his Family and on his
Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.

Zakah
Zakah is one of the five pillars of Islam, a duty upon every Muslim and the right
of the poor and needy. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and His Messenger (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam)
inform us that giving Zakah not only fulfils this duty and helps those in need, but
also purifies one's wealth so that it may continue to grow.

The word “Zakah” in its linguistic term means: growth (nam'a), blessings
(barakah), purification (taharah), or appreciation (madh). It is called Zakah
because one's wealth grows through the blessings of giving part of it and the
prayer of those who receive it. Zakah purifies its giver of his/her sins and is
clearly ordered by Allah in The Quran in which Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: " Take
alms of their wealth and make them pure and clean " (V 9:103).

There are two main types of Zakah:

1. Zakat (or Zakat al-Mal). This Zakat is an obligatory form of charity

expected from every muslim individual. It equals 2.5% of the wealth
someone has owned for a full year.

2. Zakat on self (Zakat al-Fitr or Fitrana). This Zakat (Zakat al-Fitr) is also
another obligatory form of charity that is given as a one-off payment made
at the end of Ramadan. Zakat al Fitr can be paid a few days before the end
of Ramadhan, but it is preferable to pay it just before Eid prayer (first thing
in the morning) so that the poor can enjoy the Eid.

Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered
the people to pay Zakat al-Fitr before going to the Eid prayer. [Al-
Bukhari].

Zakat Al-Fitr is levied on individual and not on his/her wealth and all
muslims are obliged to pay this, regardless of their age, status or wealth. If
the person is a breadwinner, then he should also pay Zakat al-Fitr for his
dependants such as his wife, children, dependent relatives or servants.
The amount of Zakah payable is approximately 3kg of staple food in the
relevant country or an amount of money that is equivalent to the price of
the food. £3.00 per person is a safe estimate for those living in the UK.
Those who are entitled to receive Zakat al-Fitr are the same as those
entitled to receive Zakat al-Mal.

There are also two types of “Optional” Zakat referred to as Sadaqah:

 1. Sadaqah. This form of charity (Sadaqah) is a voluntary act of giving alms
for the cause of Allah, by muslims who want to contribute more than their
obligatory Zakah payment. Sadaqah may be given to mark or bring
blessings to occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, personal success
or even instances of sadness or bereavement. In short, Sadaqah can be
given during any period of happiness or sadness or as a sign of gratitude
to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).

2. Sadaqah-Jariya. This form of charity (Sadaqah-Jariya) is known as ongoing

charity. The rewards for this type of charity benefit the donor even after
they have passed away, for as long as people receive benefit from the
donor’s charity. The charity can take many forms, including providing a
well for clean water, or building a hospital.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammed (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When a man
dies his actions come to an end except for three: an ongoing
charity; knowledge that benefits others or pious offspring who
pray for him”.

Charity in Ramadan
Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased
with him, had said, “The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was the most generous
of people. He used to be the most generous in Ramadhan when he
would meet with angel Jibreal and study the Quran with him. Angel
Jibreal would meet with the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) every night in
Ramadhan to teach him the Quran. The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was
so generous when he met with Jibreal, more generous than the wind
that brings rain.” Imam Ahmad added to this narration, “And nothing he
was asked for but he would give it.” Furthermore, Al-Bayhaqi reported that
‘Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, had said, “When Ramadhan would
start, the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) would release all prisoners of war
and fulfil the need of every person who would ask him for something.”

This increased generosity of the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) in Ramadhan has
several reasons and indications that we have to pay attention to, among them
some are:

1. Ramadhan is an honourable and blessed month, and the rewards for

generosity are multiplied in it. The reward for a single good deed done in
Ramadhan is equivalent to 70 good deeds done in any other month. The Prophet
(Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam)
said,

“The best charity is that given in Ramadhan.” [At-Tirmithi].

2. This is a source of help and support, especially the ones fasting. To encourage
this, the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said,

“He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will,
without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards.” [Ahmad].

Now you and I can perform this act of good deed and attain its reward by simply
inviting our friends and family round for Iftar and/or by giving Sadaqah to charity
organizations such as Islamic Relief and Muslim Hands who run Ramadan Food
Aid and Iftar projects (links provided below). Also, from my understanding and Allah knows
best on this matter, but what I’ve been told is that it is better, when giving Zakah
to give first to those closest to you as they have a greater haq over your Zakah
then those of distant or no relations i.e. first your relatives, then extend/look to
your neighbours, then Village, Town etc. (reaching outwards if one cannot find
someone to give Zakah to from the previous category), but that is not to say that
one cannot still can’t give Zakah to whom so ever is eligible to receive Zakah be
it in another Town, Country or via charitable organizations. When giving Zakah it
also very important to make sure that those who are receiving fall into the
category of being less fortunate and can accept Zakah.

Islamic Relief: £30 Ramadan Family Food Pack

For further details go to: http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/FamilyFoodPack.aspx

Muslim Hands: Food Aid and Iftar Programme.

For further details go to:
http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/appeals/global_iftar_campaign/

3. Ramadhan is the month of giving and mercy, and in it Allah blesses the
believers with forgiveness and being saved from Hellfire. Therefore, whoever is
merciful and giving in Ramadhan, Allah will be even more Merciful and Giving,
and will bestow upon him countless bounties and blessings.

4. Charity and Fasting are a stronger and more effective barrier that will keep the
person away from the Fire. As for fasting, the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) had said,

“Fasting is a shield and protection from Hellfire” [Ahmad].

He also said regarding charity, “Charity extinguishes the sin just as water
extinguishes the fire. “

Calculating Your Zakah

Zakah is payable at a rate of 2.5% and is only due if the value of one's wealth
exceeds the nisab*. At current market prices (as at 6th Aug 2008 [Source: Islamic Relief website])
the nisab is set at £980.04.

*Nisab: The minimum value of wealth one must hold for Zakah to become
applicable. It is defined as 87.48g of pure gold or its equivalent value in money
and applies not only to gold but to all types of wealth on which Zakah is payable.

Some of the types of wealth on which Zakah is due are:

(i) gold and silver

(ii) cash held at home or in bank accounts
(iii) stocks and shares
(iv) money lent to others
(v) business stock in trade

The zakat year begins on the date on which you were first in possessions of
wealth above the nisab. This will be your seed date, whenever it comes around
you will have to calculate zakat, irrespective of any fluctuations in the amount of
wealth in your possession. The only situation in which your seed date will change
is if you were to become totally bankrupt and lose all your assets and
belongings. In this situation, your new seed date will begin when you are once
again in possession of wealth above the nisab. If you are ever in doubt about
your seed date, then estimate it to the best of your ability.

Case study example

For the purpose of this example please assume that the 1st October 2007 is our
seed date.

Mrs Zaman owns a necklace of pure gold weighing 45g and worth £712.80 at the current market
rate.* She has savings in her bank account of £1250, and she holds shares in a company that now
have a resale value of £250.
The total value of her wealth is £2212.80. The value of the nisab is that of 87.48 grams of gold, i.e.
£980.04 at current market rates. Since she has more wealth than the nisab she must pay 2.5% of it
as Zakah to needy Muslims.
2.5% of £2212.80, and thus her total Zakah payable, is £2212.80 × 0.025 = £55.32.
* When you calculate your Zakah, please check the value of your gold holdings with your local
goldsmiths.

Now if during the course of the year (after the seed date has been set), Mrs
Zaman’s wealth went below the nisab figure (i.e. she made a large withdrawal),
but come the 1st of October 2008, she was still in possession of wealth valuing
above the nisab figure even if her wealth was made up of gift money or
inheritance money, she would have to give Zakah because at the end of her “full
year” she has wealth which is above the nisab and that makes it Fard upon her
to give Zakah.

What if you owe people money or have loans. Do you still have
to give Zakah?
Well unless your debt is a short term one (i.e. payable within days/weeks/months
or even within the year), then you are still liable to give Zakat, even if it is a very
large amount i.e. you have taken out a loan for a house mortgage, or a student
loan. However, it is usually better to give Zakah on such loans once you are in
possession of that money again for the period it was loaned out. Long term
loans are those that will take you years to pay off, but because such loans are
and can be paid off by monthly instalments then you are still liable to give Zakah
on your wealth.

Online Zakat Calculator

http://www.ramadhanzone.com/zakat_calculator.asp

Final note
“And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do
other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and
charities have been accepted or not), [1] because they are sure to return
to their Lord (for reckoning).” (23:60).
[1]
(V 23:60) Narrated Aishah (RA), I asked Allah’s Messenger (Salllahu alayhe wa-sallam)
about this (following Verse): “And those who give that (their charity) which
they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear...
” (V 23:60).

She added: “Are these who drink alcoholic drinks and steal?” Allah’s Messenger
(Salllahu alayhe wa-sallam)
replied: “No! O daughter of As-Saddiq, but they are those
who fast, pray, and practice charity and they are afraid that (their
good) deeds may not be accepted (by Allah) from them. ‘It is these who
hasten in good deeds. ‘ ” [Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Tafsir Al-Qurtubi].

So my dear brothers & sisters what we learn from the above hadith is that, do try
to do as much good deeds as you can and try to give as much charity as you
can, but fear Allah and make sincere dua to Allah asking him to accept your
deed, for there is always the chance that Allah may not. Such are the
characteristics and qualities of the pious and those who do good (deeds) purely
for the sake of and for the love of Allah.

And remember! Our Rasool (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was the most generous of people
and come Ramadhan he would be even more generous Subhanallah. So let us
now inshallah try to increase our generosity too and do as much as we can in
THIS Ramadhan. Who knows, some of us may not even be alive come the next
one. So seize this opportunity and make THIS Ramadhan count.

Remember also! Generosity and Giving are attributes that Allah likes for Muslims
to have. Also, Allah is the most Generous and Giving of all. Indeed, Allah’s
Generosity multiplies in Ramadhan. Similarly, the Prophet’s (Salllahu alayhe wa-sallam)
generosity increased in Ramadhan, and indeed he is the man whose personality
entails all the attributes mankind seek and vie for.

Hadith of the Prophet (Salllahu alayhe wa-sallam):

"Take advantage of five before five: your life before your death, your
health before your illness, your free time before becoming busy, your
youth before your old age and your wealth before your poverty."

Personal note from the writers of this article

There is an enormous amount of literature surrounding Zakah, it’s rules (fiqh)
and it’s conditions that it would not be befitting for us to say that what we have
written is 100% accurate when we ourselves are students of knowledge and can
make mistakes. For this reason we encourage all our readers to do his/her own
readings and research into this topic, and in matters where you find that we have
differed from what which you know and believe to be true, then we encourage
you to go with that which you know and believe to be correct and true. The
intended purpose from the writers of this article is to just merely summarise for
the readers just a few selected points which they hope will inshallah give their
readers a brief understanding on the topic of Zakah, its importance and its
virtues especially during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The writers also ask that if anyone spots any errors in anything that is written,
then know that this error is from them and in no way a portrayal of the true
teachings of Islam. They ask that you correct them where they have made any
errors [Email: In Pursuit of Knowledge at: ilm.pursuit@hotmail.co.uk]
, and may Allah forgive us for our
errors.

And finally, please make dua for the writers of this article for Allah to keep them
on the path of truth and give them the tawfiq to produce more work like this
fisabilillah and may Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) accept their humble efforts in the service
of His Deen, Al-Islam. May Allah shower us all with His infinite Mercy and
Blessings and infuse a profound love and respect in our hearts for our Beloved
Rasool (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), his Family and his Companions, may Allah Subhanahu
Wa Ta’ala be pleased with them all. Ameen!

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

(“May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon you”)

[Sources used for the most part of this literature have primarily been obtained from the Islamic Relief and Muslim Hands online web

materials and publications. Hadith quotations have been taken from various sources]