Zakat
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When handling Zakat funds, we at Muslim Welfare Organization, take extra precautions to ensure that the beneficiaries fit into the eight categories that the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW and the Quran establish.
Muslim Welfare Organization has a 100% Zakat Policy, which states that your Zakat will only be used to assist those in need in line with Islamic law. It will not be used for staff wages, marketing, fundraising, or any other charitable overhead.
What is Zakat?
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Zakat, which means “that which purifies,” is one of the five Pillars of Islam and a religious requirement for all Muslims who satisfy the required financial requirements. It is not a tax but a required charity donation, and it is the impoverished’s right to receive assistance from the wealthy. Zakat is essentially the Islamic welfare system that transfers wealth and property from those with sufficient amounts to those whose holdings fall short of that threshold. All qualified Muslims must pay Zakat, as proclaimed by Allah SWT, who also repeatedly commands them to do so in the Holy Quran.
What is Nisab?
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The amount of zakat is determined by a person’s income and the total worth of their belongings. It is typically 2.5% of a Muslim’s whole wealth and savings beyond the Nisab minimum. Gold (3 ounces, or 87.48 grams, or its cash equivalent) or silver (21 ounces, or 612.36 grams, or its cash equivalent) are the two measurements used to calculate Nisaab. Cash on hand, bank account balances, equities, and retirement and savings accounts are the most frequent types of Zakatable wealth. Zakat is not paid on wealth that is utilized to pay off debt associated with daily expenses including housing, food, clothes, healthcare, education, and transportation. Since gold and jewelry are not exempt from zakat, their value should be taken into account while calculating total annual savings.
WHO CAN RECEIVE ZAKAT?
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The Quran has mentioned in Surah al-Tawbah the following eight categories of eligible Zakât recipients:
* The poor (al-fuqarâ’)
* The needy (al-masâkîn)
* Zakât-Collectors
* Those sympathetic to Islam
* Those in bondage (to free slaves and captives)
* The debt-ridden
* In the cause of God
* The wayfarer (the stranded travelers)
Those who [duly] establish the Prayer and who spend [charitably] out of what We have provided them—it is these who are, in truth, the believers. For them, there are [lofty] ranks [awaiting] with their Lord, and forgiveness, and a generous provision. (Al-Anfâl, 8: 3-4)
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When is Zakat due?
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After one Lunar (Hijri) year, beginning on the day you paid Zakat the previous year or the first day you obtained the amount of Nisab, Zakat is due. For better or worse, the month of Ramadan is regarded as the ideal time to pay Zakat.
How Muslim Welfare Organization uses Zakat?
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Muslim Welfare Organization regards Zakat, Sadaqah, and other donations from our generous donors as sacred Amanah, and we are accountable to our donors and Allah SWT for every penny spent. We exercise extreme caution and transparency when allocating funds to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance and basic social services (health, education, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, among other things) to the world’s poorest people. When dealing with Zakat funds, we take extra precautions to ensure that the beneficiaries fall into one of the eight designated categories defined in the Holy Quran and specified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Zakat Program of the Muslim Welfare Organization is an initiative that helps Muslims fulfill their obligation of giving Zakat by distributing these funds to those in need. The program ensures that the Zakat reaches eligible recipients, such as orphans, widows, the poor, and other deserving individuals, in accordance with Islamic principles.
The organization follows strict Islamic guidelines to identify eligible beneficiaries. This includes verifying the financial status of recipients to ensure they meet the criteria outlined in the Quran and Sunnah. All distributions are transparent, documented, and tailored to maximize the impact of the Zakat.
The Zakat Program supports a range of initiatives, including providing food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, and financial aid. It also funds projects that promote sustainable development, such as vocational training and small business support for those in need.
Yes, donors can indicate their preferences for how their Zakat should be utilized, such as supporting orphans, providing education, or distributing food. The Muslim Welfare Organization ensures that donor preferences are honored while maintaining compliance with Islamic regulations.
