Zakat is an obligatory pillar of Islam. Every Muslim whose wealth has exceeded the Nisab amount must pay Zakat once 12 months of the lunar year have passed. According to numerous ayahs of the Quran and narrations of the Prophet, you must pay Zakat to purify your wealth.
Zakat is the right of the poor, the needy, the destitute, the debtors, the wayfarer, and the administrators of Zakat
(Quran 9:60)
Zakat purifies our wealth and is a way of seeking the pleasure of Allah. During this blessed month of Ramadan, we have the opportunity to fulfil our obligation of Zakat and help those in need through the Islamic Welfare Trust. Your Zakat can bring relief to deserving families and even help them come out of poverty forever.
Donate your Zakat with our Ramadan Zakat Appeal and change lives forever.
Financial Support for a Family – £100
Sponsor an Orphan – £300
Sponsor a Needy Student – £360
Support a Widow/Poor Family – £480
Zakat is a means of purifying one’s wealth and fulfilling the rights of the needy in society. By giving Zakat, we contribute to a system that helps provide financial assistance to the poor and needy, allowing them to meet their basic needs and maintain their dignity.
Zakat helps prevent poverty by ensuring that those in need have access to resources that can help them live decent life. It is an act of worship that has immense spiritual rewards and benefits, as well as tangible benefits for those who receive it. With our, we can help create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has access to the basic necessities of life.
This year, Islamic Welfare Trust is working on the ground in eight Muslim communities around the world to distribute Zakat among those in need. Your Zakat will go towards supporting victims of the 2022 Pakistan floods, the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, as well as those affected by conflict in Yemen, Syria, and Gaza, and the poor people of Afghanistan and Rohingya refugees. Although we may not be one of the biggest charities, our local connections in each of these locations ensure that your Zakat will reach those who truly need it. Every penny of your donation will be spent on helping the poor and the needy.
This Ramadan is particularly important because never before have so many people urgently needed humanitarian assistance. Many Muslim communities are suffering, with countries like Pakistan, Syria, Bangladesh, Turkey, Yemen, Gaza, and Afghanistan experiencing extreme poverty and hardship. In Yemen, for example, more than 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, while in Afghanistan, almost 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. By donating your Zakat to our Ramadan Zakat Appeal, you can help bring some sort of order to the lives of your brothers and sisters in need.
Your Zakat has the power to change lives and lift families out of poverty. In Pakistan, for example, where floods have destroyed homes and livelihoods, Zakat can help provide much-needed relief and help families get back on their feet. Similarly, in Gaza, where over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, your Zakat can provide essential aid, such as food, shelter, and medical care. By donating your Zakat, you are not only fulfilling your religious obligation but also making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.
Let’s come together this Ramadan and make a difference.
Donate your Zakat to Islamic Welfare Trust’s Ramadan Zakat Appeal and help make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
What is Zakat?
Zakat is a compulsory charity that is given by Muslims who meet the criteria of being financially able. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mentioned in the Quran (9:60) as a means of purifying wealth.
How much Zakat do I have to pay?
The amount of Zakat that must be paid is 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth that has been in their possession for a full lunar year and meets the minimum threshold known as nisaab.
What is nisaab for Zakat?
Nisaab is the minimum threshold of wealth or assets a Muslim must possess in order to be obligated to pay Zakat. The Nisaab of Zakat is determined by the value of gold and silver, as well as other assets such as cash and trade goods. Currently, the Nisaab of Zakat based on gold is 87.48 grams and based on silver it is 612.36 grams. If a person’s wealth or assets reach or exceed the Nisaab amount, then they are required to pay Zakat on that amount.
Who is eligible to receive Zakat?
Zakat is intended for those who are considered poor and needy, such as the destitute, the homeless, orphans, widows, and the sick. Allah (SWT) says:
“The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.”
Qur’an (9:60)
Can Zakat be given to non-Muslims?
No, Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims, but other forms of charity can be given to them. The Quran (9:60) specifies that Zakat should be given to specific groups of people.
What if I am not able to pay Zakat?
If a Muslim is not financially able to pay Zakat, then they are not required to do so. However, it is encouraged for them to give voluntary charity as much as they can.
Can Zakat be given in advance?
Yes, Zakat can be given in advance, but it must be kept in mind that the giver must be sure that they will possess enough wealth to fulfil the Zakat obligation when it becomes due.
Can Zakat be given to relatives?
Zakat cannot be given to immediate family members, such as parents, children, and spouses. However, it can be given to relatives who meet the criteria for being eligible to receive Zakat.
Unfortunately, recent human history has emphatically confirmed this reality. Since the turn of the century, we have seen disaster after disaster unfold, some natural but predominantly manmade. As a Muslim Humanitarian Charity, it’s crucial for us to have emergency funds readily available to respond swiftly to these disasters.
Whether it’s the Gaza Emergency Appeal, Yemen Emergency Appeal, Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal, Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, Afghanistan Emergency Appeal, Pakistan Floods Appeal, Rohingya Refugee Crisis Appeal, or Africa Drought Appeal, our ability to continue helping those affected by these conflicts, wars, and crises relies on your ongoing support. We urge you to donate your Sadaqah and Zakat to these appeals, aiding in the protection of lives throughout the year and in times of crisis.
However, if you are looking to build a Masjid as Sadaqah Jariyah for your loved ones, or if you wish to build a water pump, donate a food pack, sponsor a sewing machine, sponsor an orphan, sponsor a hafiz, or need to give Kaffarah for Breaking an Oath, consider our appeals. Donate to the Ramadan Food Appeal, the Ramadan Zakat Appeal, or simply donate your Zakat to assist the poor and needy around the world. Insha’Allah, donate with confidence for the sake of Allah.