
Zakat
This is the compulsory alms-giving which Allah has given the order for in the Qur’an. Its status is Fardh. Zakah is only eligible upon mature, sane men and women who meet Nisab threshold. 2.5% of their wealth must then be given. Zakah must only be given to the specific eight categories mentioned in the Qur’an. If it is not given to any of them, then it will be void and necessary to re-pay. So donate to charity Zakat and fulfil the right of your wealth that Allah has bestowed upon you.
Sadaqah
This is the general term used for giving charity in Islam. All acts of worship through financial expenditure are, by broader definition, classified as Sadaqah. Due to there being many types, they have been divided into the following two categories both of which have separate rulings:
1. Sadaqah Wajibah
This is charity which is binding in nature. This includes Sadaqah al-Fitr, etc. This form of Sadaqah is similar to Zakah in that it must be spent on the same categories as defined by the Qur’an, except that it is not a condition for the beneficiary to be Muslim.
This type of Sadaqah includes:
The amount that must be given is equal to 1.75 kg of wheat or 3.5 kg of barley or its like. This does not mean that a person must distribute wheat or barley, one may give its equivalent value. (Because this fluctuates it is improper to specify a price, although it is usually between one and three pounds.)
Sadaqah al-Fitr is a very emphasized Sunnah (which according to many is the status of Wajib) which becomes due before ‘Eid Salah, although it is preferable to give it a few days before ‘Eid so that the poor actually receive it and are able to spend it on `Eid day. If one does not give the Sadaqah al-Fitr, it will remain due no matter how much time passes after ‘Eid.
Greater Kaffarah
For redemption of this a person may free a slave (if feasible) or fast for sixty consecutive days (If a person breaks a fast intentionaly they would need to fast for sixty consecutive days, unless they can’t fast due to poor health or old age, there are no exceptions to this). Failing that one may feed sixty poor people for a day (i.e. give them the amount equivalent to fidya/sadaqatul fitr or give them two meals for the day). This Kaffarah applies to:
* Intentionally breaking Sawm (fast)
* Breaking Zihar (To consider one’s wife as Haram for oneself by comparing her to a Mahram – anyone too closely related to be marriageable)
* Being the direct cause of someone’s death (this is coupled with the set punishments).
Note: In the instance of not being able to feed sixty people in a single day then he may feed one person for sixty days, but in this case if he were to try to quicken payment of this by giving all the money in one day to one person, kaffarah would not be fulfilled, and his offering would only be equal to one days feeding.
Lesser Kaffarah
For redemption of this a person may free a slave (which is no longer applicable) or feed ten poor people for two meals in one day, or give each one of them clothing. Failing this, he may fast for three consecutive days (The order is also different from the greater Kaffarah). This Kaffarah applies to:
* Breaking/violating Yamin (an oath)
* Breaking Ila’ (To take an oath on not having conjugal relationships with one’s wife)
From the meat he may eat himself and feed his family and also distribute meat amongst the poor Muslims. One is not responsible to give Zakah or any necessary Sadaqah for one’s spouse nor one’s mature children – they are responsible for themselves. One is however, responsible for only giving sadaqah al-fitr for one’s minor children, however, neither Zakah is given from their wealth, nor Udhiyyah given on their behalf.
Note: One may slaughter goats or sheep, which constitute one sacrifice each, or one may slaughter a larger animal (i.e. cow or buffalo) which will be counted as seven sacrifices each. In the event of living in a wealthy country, it is better that one sacrifices one part locally to fulfil the Sunnah of sacrificing oneself; and to arrange for the remaining sacrifices to be performed in a poorer country, where the poor may also partake of it.
Dam is of two types. one is like Udhiyyah in the sense that it is a religious requirement on adult Muslims. The only difference is that it is specific to people who are performing Hajj. This Dam is called Dam ash-Shukr.
The second type of Dam, like fidyah, is a means of compensation for mistakes in Hajj, but the difference is the magnitude of the mistake. Fidyah is given in lieu of minor mistakes while Dam is in lieu of major mistakes. Dam, like Udhiyyah, is the sacrifice of a sheep or goat. It can also be made a part (i.e. 1/7) of a larger sacrifice.
Badanah is like Dam, but while Dam is the sacrifice of a sheep or goat, Badanah is the sacrifice of a large animal, i.e. a cow or camel. This is the largest penalty in Hajj, and is specific to three acts.
2. Sadaqah Nafilah
This is charity which is not binding in nature but is optional. This type includes alms given for the removal of difficulties, philanthropic (to give out of mercy to the less fortunate), the general giving of any Halal item to any one etc. This type does not need to be spent on the specified categories to be rewarding nor does it have to be spent on Muslims, although if spent on poor Muslims it would be more rewarding. This can also be bequeathed in one’s will (in which case it would be only up to a third of the deceased person’s entire estate).
The following are types of Sadaqah Nafilah:
‘Sadaqah soothes the Lord’s anger and protects against a bad death.’ (al-Tirmidhi, al Bayhaqi)
This type of Sadaqah can also be given as ‘Lillah’.
‘Indeed good deeds take away bad deeds.’ [Qur’an, 11:114]
This type of Sadaqah can also be given as ‘Lillah’.
‘Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan? For (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal reward.’ [Qur’an, al Hadid, 57:11]
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