While many religions around the world encourage charitable giving, Islam is one of the few that actually mandates it. Zakat (almsgiving) is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all Muslims who qualify. Zakat is given by a large majority of Muslims in the US. However, it is not the only form of charitable giving mentioned in the Quran.
Sadaqah is another form of giving that is also encouraged within Islam, although it is not technically required. Like Zakat, it is intended to help support programs that serve the community and those who are in need, as well as to bring the giver closer to Allah (SWT). However, while the two forms of giving are quite similar, they have some notable differences.
Zakat – Obligatory and Specifically Prescribed Giving
As one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat is required of all devout Muslims who qualify. Qualification is largely predicated on being of right mind and having a prescribed level of wealth, referred to as nisab. Those who qualify are obligated to give 2.5 percent of their income to worthy causes. Specifically, Zakat giving is intended to be given to the poor, the needy, collectors of Zakat (such as some non-profit organizations that provide services within the community, like Islamic Relief USA), those whose hearts are to be won over, captives, those who are in debt, travelers, and finally giving in the cause of Allah (SWT).
It’s agreed that the poor and needy are the most important of these groups, and much of the Zakat given each year goes either to the poor and needy or to organizations that support them. By its very nature, Zakat is aimed at redistributing wealth and alleviating poverty throughout the community, and ensuring that no one in the community is overlooked or abandoned, particularly in their time of need.
According to research by Indiana University’s Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, the vast majority of Muslims give Zakat during Ramadan, with 69 percent of Muslims in the US stating that they always give Zakat during this holy month marked by fasting, prayer, and charity. Specifically, married couples, women, younger adults (in their 30s), and those in the $50,000-70,000 income bracket are most likely to give during this time. However, Zakat can technically be given at any time of the year, with other popular times of giving including Eid al-Adha and at the end of the financial year. That being said, a specific type of giving called Zakat al-Fitr is specifically aimed at helping the poor to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the end of Ramadan. Due to the specific nature, intention, and timing of this type of Zakat, it must be given before the Eid prayer.
Sadaqah – Voluntary Acts of Kindness That Expect Nothing in Return
Like Zakat, Sadaqah is an act of kindness that is done not for public acknowledgment or reward, but to benefit others and bring the giver closer to Allah (SWT). However, while Zakat is mandatory and refers to a specific percentage of monetary giving by those who qualify, Sadaqah is voluntary, can take many forms, and can be given by anyone. The kindness given can be anything from saying a prayer for another or sharing a smile with someone to providing a person with guidance or financially supporting worthy causes or the poor. When it comes to Sadaqah that involves giving financial support, there are no minimum or maximum limits prescribed.
Sadaqah jariyah is a specific type of giving that continues to benefit humanity even after the death of the giver. In addition, this beneficial legacy is said to result in reward for the giver after their death, in addition to intrinsic reward of becoming closer to Allah (SWT) at the time of giving. Like Zakat, monetary Sadaqah giving is often done through non-profits like Islamic Relief USA and other organizations that serve and support people who are in need.
Zakat and Sadaqah Giving in Support of Global Causes
Giving Zakat and Sadaqah by donating to charitable organizations is a great way to make lasting and effective change in the world and ensure that one’s charity benefits those who need it most. For example, Islamic Relief USA receives Zakat and Sadaqah donations and uses the funds to support populations in areas that are experiencing various crises ranging from natural disasters to conflicts, political upheaval, and systemic poverty. Islamic Relief USA provides aid for refugees, delivers emergency relief, establishes health clinics and hospitals, offers livelihood assistance in areas of poverty, builds and funds schools, facilitates access to clean water, feeds the hungry, and offers special support for orphaned children and widowed women. Most charitable organizations receive the majority of their funding through charitable giving, both from inside and outside the Muslim community. Due to the essential and often life-changing nature of their work, as well as the fact that they are largely dependent on donations, organizations such as these that operate within the Muslim community should take note of the different types of giving within Islam, as well as when donations are generally given, and by whom. Integrating this information into budgets and fiscal planning can help ensure that funds are available when they are needed to support specific programs.