ZAKAT
Zakat is a Powerful Pillar
Zakat, or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with prayer, fasting, pilgrimage (Hajj), and belief in Allah (SWT) and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). For every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount–known as the nisab–he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth as Zakat.
In the Holy Qur’an (2:110), we read, “And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves—you will find it with Allah; surely Allah sees what you do.”
Zakat is a Powerful Pillar
Islamic Relief collects and distributes Zakat to those who are most in need, in accordance with Islamic guidelines. According to the Holy Qur’an (9:60), there are eight categories of people who qualify to be recipients of Zakat:
- The poor
- The needy
- The collectors of Zakat (Islamic Relief USA is an example)
- Those whose hearts are to be won over
- Captives
- Those burdened with debt
- In the cause of Allah (SWT)
- Travelers
Most scholars agree that the poor and needy are the most important categories of people to receive Zakat. Given that, it is acceptable to give your entire Zakat allotment to individuals who are in those groups.
While many prefer to give Zakat al-Mal during Ramadan, the option to give is always open. However, when it comes to Zakat al-Fitr, it should be given before Eid prayer.
Scholar-Verified Zakat Policy
With our commitment to collecting and distributing Zakat honestly and ethically, in accordance with Sharia, IRUSA has enlisted the expertise of some of the leading and most-respected Muslim scholars in the US to form an independent Zakat Advisory Board to review, develop, and uphold Islamic Relief’s Zakat Policy.
We believe this is paramount to fulfilling our organizational values, such as Ihsan (excellence) and Amana (custodianship).
In 2023, the board ratified IRUSA’s Zakat Policy, and will continue to provide independent reviews, oversight, feedback, and verification of the distribution of Zakat by Islamic Relief USA. The Zakat Advisory Board scholars, however, are not responsible for the implementation of the IRUSA Zakat Policy — that is the sole responsibility of Islamic Relief USA.