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Fulfil Your Zakat Obligation in the Best Way

ZAKAT

As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Zakat is a required annual giving for Muslims set at 2.5% of one's surplus wealth, aimed at cleansing the soul and assisting the needy through a ‘purification’ of wealth. It is a deeply spiritual concept in the Islamic faith and considered as important as praying and fasting. At Ethar Relief, your Zakat is used with the utmost care to support refugees and displaced communities in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

The concept of Zakat is a beautiful one in terms of its ability to help the refugees of East Africa: It places the responsibility to assist the poor and needy onto every single individual person who has a bit extra to spare. This way, everyone who has some savings contributes a little of their wealth to those who have almost nothing.

MEET OUR RESIDENT ZAKAT SCHOLAR

Dr. Yusuf Abdul-Jobbar CSAA

Dr. Yusuf Abdul-Jobbar is a renowned Imam, Certified Shariah Auditor, and Islamic Finance Advisor, specialising in Zakat and charitable giving. With extensive experience in guiding individuals and organisations on their Zakat obligations, he is committed to ensuring that Muslims fulfill this pillar of Islam correctly and effectively. His expertise covers Zakat calculations, eligibility criteria, and modern financial applications of Zakat, making him a trusted authority on the subject.

To help clarify common concerns, we’ve compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Zakat, answered by Dr. Yusuf Abdul-Jobbar.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Zakat

1. What is Zakat, and why is it important?

Zakat is an obligatory form of charity in Islam, requiring eligible Muslims to donate 2.5% of their surplus wealth annually to designated beneficiaries. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, serving as a means of purification, wealth redistribution, and social welfare.

2. Who must pay Zakat?

Zakat is required from every Muslim who is:

Adult (Baligh)
Sane
Possesses wealth above the Nisab (minimum threshold) for one lunar year

3. What is the Nisab (minimum threshold) for Zakat?

The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a person must have before they are obligated to pay Zakat. It is based on:

Gold: 87.48g (~7.5 tolas)
Silver: 612.36g (~52.5 tolas)

Most scholars recommend using the silver Nisab for personal Zakat, as it benefits more people.

4. How much Zakat do I need to pay?

Zakat is 2.5% of your total Zakatable wealth after deducting liabilities. Example:

If you have £10,000 in savings and investments, you would pay:
£10,000 × 2.5% = £250 Zakat

5. What types of wealth is Zakat due on?

Zakat applies to:

Cash, gold, silver (including bank savings & jewellery)
Business assets (profits, inventory, trade goods)
Stocks and investments (depending on intent)
Agricultural produce & livestock
Rental income & properties

6. Is Zakat due on my salary?

No, Zakat is not due on salary income itself. However, if you save money from your salary and it remains above the Nisab threshold for a full lunar year, you must pay 2.5% on that amount.

7. Can I give Zakat to family members?

You cannot give Zakat to immediate dependents (parents, children, spouse) because you are already financially responsible for them. However, you can give Zakat to eligible extended relatives in need.

8. Can Zakat be used for building mosques or schools?

No, Zakat must be given directly to eligible individuals from the eight categories mentioned in the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60). However, Sadaqah (voluntary charity) can be used for mosques and schools.

9. What happens if I forget to pay Zakat?

If you miss paying Zakat in previous years, you must calculate and pay the outstanding amount as soon as possible. Deliberately withholding Zakat is a serious sin in Islam.

10. Can I pay Zakat online or through a charity?

Yes, you can donate Zakat online, as long as the charity distributes it correctly to eligible recipients. Always check that the organization follows Islamic Zakat guidelines before donating.

These answers serve as a general guideline, and for specific or complex Zakat queries, feel free to consult our Zakat expert Dr. Yusuf Abdul-Jobbar.

CALCULATE &
PAY YOUR ZAKAT

HOW YOUR ZAKAT HELPS

How Your Zakat Makes a Difference

In line with Islamic rulings on its distribution, your Zakat is given as cash, granted to eligible poor people, specifically to the refugees and displaced people across camps in East Africa. Where cash grants are not viable or useful to the recipient, your zakat could directly fund food distribution, providing vital nutrition to displaced families, or support educational scholarships for children in refugee camps.

In addition to the cash grants mentioned above, your Zakat makes an incredible difference in all our Zakat-eligible projects.

Immediate Relief

Your Zakat contributions help provide immediate assistance in crisis situations, including food, shelter, and medical care to those affected by conflict and natural disasters.

Long-term Development

Investing in sustainable projects like education and healthcare facilities, helping to break the cycle of poverty, illness and dependency in displaced communities.

Zakat Al-Fitr

An essential practice during Ramadan, your Zakat Al-Fitr donations are directed towards providing essential food items to those in need before Eid prayers.

HOW TO GIVE ZAKAT

Calculate Your Zakat

Use our easy-to-navigate Zakat Calculator to determine the precise amount of your contribution based on the ‘Nisab’ values.

Why Choose Ethar Relief for Your Zakat?

Transparency and Accountability

We ensure that every penny of your Zakat is used effectively and responsibly, adhering strictly to Islamic principles.

Scholar Verified

Our processes and projects are reviewed and approved by respected scholars to ensure they meet Islamic guidelines.

Meaningful Impact

With your support, we've been able to significantly impact the lives of thousands of families across East Africa.

Your Zakat Can Transform Lives

Every donation brings hope and relief to the most vulnerable. Join us in our mission to heal and help. [Donate your Zakat today].

sTART A CHAIN OF GOODNESS

Give Zakat Now: Complete an essential pillar of faith, and nourish bodies, minds, and futures.

ZAKAT​GIVE GENEROUSLY

ZAKAT

MEET OUR RESIDENT ZAKAT SCHOLAR

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Zakat

CALCULATE & ​PAY YOUR ZAKAT

HOW YOUR ZAKAT HELPS

HOW TO GIVE ZAKAT

sTART A CHAIN OF GOODNESS

Remembering the Forgotten

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ZAKAT
GIVE GENEROUSLY

CALCULATE &
PAY YOUR ZAKAT

Connect with us