The word Zakat means “to grow and increase”. It is also pronounced as Zakah, Zakat and Zakaah. 

Zakat is the Third Pillar of Islam after the testimony of faith (Shahada) and prayer (Salah).

It is a mandatory form of charity given by Muslims whose wealth reaches the “Nisab” (threshold). 

“So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give Zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan.” (Quran 73:20)

Zakat can be calculated and paid anytime, but usually Muslims pay their zakat during Ramadan to take advantage of the extra rewards. 

Paying your Zakat is a means to purify a Muslim’s yearly earnings. 

Allah SWT says in the Quran: 

“Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Quran 9:103)

Zakat is calculated by deducting 2.5% of your combined wealth.

This includes currency, gold and silver, and trade goods. 

If one has agriculture or livestock in their possession, then they must also pay Zakat to cover those possessions. 

It is important to note that Zakat on livestock and agriculture is different from the Zakat on individuals. 

You can use our online Zakat Calculator for a more accurate calculation.

Zakat Al-Fitr or Fitrah is Zakat that is a duty on every Muslim to pay for himself and those who he has a duty towards.

Every Muslim who has more than enough food for the day and night of Eid must pay Zakat Al-Fitr. 

Please visit here to donate. 

Sadaqah is a voluntary charity that is a general donation of any amount which is encouraged to be given throughout the year and especially in Ramadan.

Zakat, on the other hand, is an obligatory charity donation that is income-based which must be performed by all Muslims that qualify to pay Zakat. 

Here are a few differences between Zakat and Sadaqah: 

•         Sadaqa does not have any minimum amount, while Zakat has a fixed minimum percentage of 2.5% a person’s income.
•         Paying Sadaqah cannot replace Zakat, nor vice versa. Both are separate acts of charity in Islam.
•         Sadaqa donations are a great way to `help the poor and needy. 

Zakat is important for many reasons. Firstly Zakat is a Pillar of Islam and if one has sufficient wealth and does not fulfil their obligation of paying their Zakat then they are committing a major sin. 

Zakat is the right of the poor and needy Muslims. By paying your Zakat you are helping the lower and middle classes of society which raises economic activity and productivity and reduces poverty which in turn helps in the redistribution of wealth. 

Through Zakat, Allah also blesses your wealth and causes it to grow.

Zakat administrators are those who collect and distribute Zakat on behalf of the Muslim community. They are subject to Shariah guidelines and they are responsible for distributing the wealth as per the Shariah guidelines of distribution.

Zakat administrators are allowed to take a percentage of the Zakat to cover the expenses of their operations. 

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it1 and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (Quran 9:60). 

Your online Zakat donation to Sadaqa Welfare Fund is distributed according to Shariah guidelines, 

We are an Australian charity with offices in Sydney and Perth and we also operate in Brisbane and Melbourne. 

Through our appeals, we help many people who are eligible to receive Zakat in;

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Rohingyas, Somalia, Turkey, Uyghurs and Yemen.

Besides one’s monetary wealth there are certain things that Muslims may possess that they need to pay Zakat for such as:

• Cattle
• Gold and Silver (and similar forms of currencies)
• Commercial goods – for sale and profit
• Grains and fruits
• Minerals and resources and treasures

Once you have paid your Zakat online, Sadaqa welfare fund places the money into a special holding account designated only for Zakat. 

Zakat donations are then distributed according to the strict Sharia Guidelines on who is eligible to be given that Zakat.

At Sadaqa Welfare Fund, 100% of your Zakat is donated towards the most in need, providing vital food packages not only in Ramadan but throughout the year to the poorest countries around the world.

Sadaqa Welfare Fund is a Islamic charity that delivers Zakat and Sadaqah transparently to those who need it most. 

We launch appeals for emergency situations in over 15 Countries.

To calculate your Zakat today, you can use our online Zakat Calculator in order to fulfil your mandatory obligation of Zakat Al-Mal today. 

Zakat is to be given to 8 categories that Allah SWT has mentioned in the Holy Quran.

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it1 and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Quran 9:60)

1. The Poor (al-fuqarâ’), meaning low-income or indigent.
2. The Needy (al-masâkîn), meaning someone who is in difficulty.
3. Zakat Administrators who facilitate charity work that are poor and needy themselves.
4. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled, meaning new Muslim reverts and friends of the Muslim community.
5. Those in bondage (slaves and captives)
6. Those who are in Debt
7. In the cause of Allah.
8. The Wayfarer, meaning those who are stranded or travelling with few resources.

One of the main conditions of zakat is that the recipient must be Muslim. Sadaqa Welfare Fund ensures that all recipients of Zakat are Muslims. 

Zakat may be given to one’s relatives if they fall under the category of “poor persons”. Meaning they do not have enough to suffice themselves for a whole year or if they have debts which resulted in them not having sufficient resources.

Zakat may be given to orphans as well if they have debts and/or they come under the category of poor persons. If the orphans are now of working age and they can work for themselves and they have sufficient wealth, then giving Zakat to them is not permissible.

Zakat may also be given to somebody who is in need of medical treatment only if they are eligible to receive Zakat.

Water Wells are not Zakat eligible. A condition of zakat is ownership, it is not possible for a water well to have an owner. Sadaqa Welfare Fund does not build water wells using zakat money. Instead, we only use Zakat donations towards food programs for the poor and needy Muslims.

Zakat money may not be given to Mosques/Masjids. Zakat may not be given towards the building of a Mosque or Masjid. 

Zakat may not be given to your family if you have an Islamic duty to care for them. 

For example, your Zakat cannot be given to your wife as you have an Islamic duty to care for her that already exists. For relatives who you are not obligated to provide for, you may pay zakat if they fall under the category of a poor person.