Zakat is one of the fundamental, five pillars of Islam — it’s a duty for every Muslim adult who has attained savings and wealth over a certain amount, to pay 2.5% of it in the form of zakat.
“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 and is Seeing.”
– Qur’an, 2:110 (Surah al-Baqarah)
This Ramadan, our team at MAUSA wants to help you fulfill your Islamic duty of zakat, ensuring your charity does the good work that it’s meant for.
Your zakat can help provide relief, including, but not limited to:
- Ramadan food packages
- Shelter
- Medical supplies
- Educational justice
- Women empowerment programs
It is our promise to you that your zakat will be delivered to the brothers and sisters who need it most, in the way Allah (swt) asked of us.
“I would like to thank warmly Muslim Aid USA staff and their donors for their priceless assistance for vulnerable people. I am grateful to them. I pray that Allah (swt) protects them and grants them success. May Allah reward Muslim Aid USA!”
– Fowsiya Umma, age 41, Sri Lanka
Note: The option to give zakat-al-mal during Ramadan is available throughout the month.
Zakat-ul-Fitr
Giving Zakat-ul-Fitr (also known as fitrana) is one of the duties we must complete during the holy month of Ramadan. Similar to zakat given on an individual’s savings, it also entails giving a small amount to charity.
Zakat-ul-Fitr, must be given before the Eid prayer is performed. It is not uncommon to get Zakat-ul-Fitr mixed up with zakat, or vice versa. Both terms sound similar and even by definition have some similarities which often lead to confusion.
There are, however, some very notable differences between these two important Islamic rites.
The first difference lies in eligibility. Zakat-ul-Fitr is compulsory for all Muslims regardless of age or financial standing. The only exemption is for those who do not have one sa’ (approximately 2.6 – 3 kg) of their staple food in excess of their needs.
Due to the wider range of individuals who have to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr, it is the responsibility of the head of the household to pay for those under their care. Thus, for children, this task is undertaken by their parents on their behalf. Zakat, on the other hand, is compulsory only for Muslims who meet the nisaab values after all their yearly “Zakatable” earnings are calculated.
The second difference lies in the amount. The amount due for Zakat-ul-Fitr is small, and rarely exceeds $10. Zakat, however, can amount to a larger number because it is 2.5% of all net savings.
The third and final difference lies in due dates. Zakat can be paid at any time, with the only condition being that the earnings reflect one year’s worth of net savings (one lunar year). Zakat-ul-Fitr goes hand in hand with Ramadan. Zakat-ul-Fitr is paid during Ramadan before the month ends. Giving Zakat-ul-Fitr before the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers is extremely important, as a late payment is invalid and the obligation can’t be made up for.
You can give your $10 of Zakat-ul-Fitr with Muslim Aid USA this Ramadan.
100 percent of proceeds go to those in need.
Fidya:
Fidya consists of a donation made when a person is unable to fast due to illness or poor health, to substitute missing the fast. This donation is used to feed those in need.
The determined fidya amount is $10 per day for each individual. If one misses fasting for the entire month of Ramadan due to illness — this would amount to a $300 fidya donation ($10 x 30 days of fasting).
For $10, you will feed a needy family two meals in one day.
Kaffara:
Kaffara is a donation of money or food made to help those in need when a fasting person deliberately breaks his/her fast. This person is required to redo or make-up their fast later and also make a kaffara donation for the broken fast. If unable to do so, they should feed 60 people in need for every fast missed, at a rate of $10 per person.
Sadaqah
An act of kindness can bring a smile to the face of millions of vulnerable people across the world. This Ramadan, take time to invest in your akhirah and help those in need all around the world.
Helping others is a fundamental part of our faith as Muslims. Sadaqah is an act of voluntary charity that benefits those in need.
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord.” Qur’an 2:274, Surah al-Baqarah
Your donation, however big or small, will count towards helping others who need it most.
For over 35 years, we have been delivering humanitarian aid around the world, responding to need wherever we find it.
For just $35, you can provide a family with a food package of essential food items for a month.
For $100, you can provide safe clean drinking water to a family of five.
For $200, you can provide a survival kit including medicine and food for a family living in a remote area.
For $500, you can provide urgent shelter and medicine to vulnerable families.
Our established aid chain, ground-relief efforts, and years of experience will ensure your support goes towards:
- Helping widows and children living in extreme poverty
- Providing water and sanitation to those experiencing drought and famine
- Medical supplies
- Delivering emergency medical aid to those injured in conflict
- Saving lives with operations and neonatal care