One of the Five Pillars of Islam and officially meaning "that which purifies," Zakat is an obligatory payment that carries its own set of expectations and requirements. One of which is that you must hold enough wealth to meet the Nisab threshold, a value which is calculated from 87.49 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. The minimum amount of Zakat you must give is 2.5%, but there is no upper limit, and only a specific group of people can receive Zakat contributions, as per the Qur'an.
Zakat must be given annually, as long as you have held wealth exceeding the Nisab threshold for the previous Islamic calendar year, and when you choose to give it is up to you. Many Muslims choose to give their Zakat during Ramadan and often in the last 10 nights of Ramadan when the rewards are said to be much greater, and it is also when the Night of Power falls.
Zakat is intended to strengthen the Muslim community, the Ummah, by redistributing wealth to the poorest of our society and ensuring they get the resources they need to live.
Sadaqah is any voluntary act of righteousness or kindness that is made with no expectation of anything in return. There is no minimum amount of Sadaqah that must be given and no requirement to give regularly. Sadaqah can be split into two further acts of kindness: Sadaqah itself, which is considered a short-term gesture and Sadaqah Jariyah, which is a gesture that gives long-term. There is no requirement to what you need to do to fulfil Sadaqah, meaning that something as simple as sharing your knowledge in Islam can be a gesture that continues to give.
Both gestures carry great rewards in this life and the next for the giver, but the effects of Zakat and Sadaqah are even greater for the receiver. The donations made with the intention of Sadaqah or Zakat through Orphans in Need are received by those most in need, our orphans and widows who are struggling in life through no fault of their own. Your Sadaqah and Zakat donations enable us to provide seasonal clothing to keep warm in the cold winters, food packs that will feed hungry mouths for a month and necessary access to education and medical care.
Our personalized Zakat Calculator simplifies the process of calculating your Zakat obligations with ease and accuracy. Whether you're assessing gold, silver, savings, investments, or other assets, our tool is tailored to meet your unique financial situation. Designed with user-friendly features and Islamic principles in mind, it provides a clear breakdown of your contributions, ensuring you fulfill this vital pillar of Islam with confidence and peace of mind.
