To give to an Islamic charity in a safe and effective manner you must first identify and find organizations that are registered and meet the criteria for Islamic charitable giving. After finding the organizations that fit your requirements and Islamic charitable giving standards you must determine whether you are obligated to give Zakat. Then you will be able to determine how much to give and what method would be best to use to contribute whether it is to fulfill your obligatory Zakat requirement or to make an optional Sadaqah contribution or Sadaqah Jariya (continuing charity). Through organizations that are registered in the U.K such as the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) you can fund life changing projects that provide aid to orphaned children and others in dire need of assistance in countries such as Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
Islamic charitable giving is an integral component of the Islamic faith. While charitable giving is a strong social recommendation for non Muslims it is a fundamental spiritual obligation for Muslims. Charitable giving not only cleanses a Muslim’s wealth it creates a sense of community resiliency and helps provide a lifeline for those suffering from extreme poverty. Regardless of whether you are fulfilling your annual obligation of Zakat or giving to help those less fortunate because you are grateful for the many blessings in your own life giving to an Islamic charity is a powerful way to create positive and lasting changes in the world.
Choosing the correct charitable organization can sometimes be overwhelming when there are so many options available and each charitable appeal and organization may have its own methods and mission for creating positive change in the world.
Before you begin making a contribution, it is helpful to understand the differences between charitable giving in Islam. Each category of giving has a different purpose, carries a unique spiritual weight, and has practical implications for the communities being served.
Zakat is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and is an obligatory act of worship for every adult Muslim whose total, eligible wealth meets or exceeds the Nisab (the minimum amount of property a person is required to have before he/she is obligated to pay Zakat). Zakat is calculated at a fixed rate of 2.5 percent of the net worth of qualifying property.
The primary objective of Zakat is to purify and cleanse the remaining wealth of the donor and to redistribute the wealth of the wealthy to the most needy members of society. Zakat is specifically designated to assist eight categories of people, including the poor, needy, those in debt, travelers, those in bondage, and the amirs and fighters for Allah’s cause. Zakat is a vital part of the Islamic system of justice and is designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth and to provide the basic necessities of life to all people.
Sadaqah is an optional charitable gift, unlike Zakat, which is mandatory. Sadaqah is made solely based on a donor’s feelings of compassion, gratitude, and love of Allah. While Sadaqah is usually expressed financially, it can also be expressed through acts of kindness and generosity, such as sharing food with someone in need or offering a smile to a stranger, as an example. In addition to Sadaqah, there is a particular type of ongoing Sadaqah called Sadaqah Jariyah. When donating to an Islamic charity, a donor can designate their contribution as Sadaqah Jariyah, thereby providing a long-term source of benefit to others. Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah include: building a mosque; planting a fruit bearing tree; building a medical facility; and installing a solar-powered water filtration system. One of the greatest benefits of Sadaqah Jariyah is that a donor receives continued rewards for as long as others continue to benefit from the project, even after the donor has passed away. Some people also choose to make Sadaqah Jariyah contributions in the name of a deceased family member or friend, thus leaving behind a lasting legacy of blessings.
Once you have decided to part with your hard earned money, you must be assured that your contribution reaches the intended recipients, without undue delay or exorbitant administrative charges.
The first criterion for selecting an organization is verifying that it is registered and compliant with the laws governing charitable organizations. In the case of organizations operating in the United Kingdom, registration with the Charity Commission for England and Wales is required. Registration by a national charitable regulatory agency affords assurance to potential donors that an organization operates within the bounds of the law and in accordance with ethical practices and procedures.
Transparency is another important criterion for evaluating an organization. Reputable charities publish detailed financial statements that disclose how contributions are allocated among the organization’s operational expenses and actual distribution to the recipients of the charitable gifts. For example, organizations such as the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) commit themselves to a strict “100% Donation” policy for Zakat and Sadaqah, meaning that 100 percent of your Zakat and Sadaqah contributions will be directed to the recipient(s) you select, with all administrative costs covered through separate, independent arrangements, such as Gift Aid reclamation and/or operational funds.
Finally, look for organizations that provide timely evidence of their work, either through written reports and/or visual documentation of completed projects, such as photos of a new water filter installation or periodic updates regarding the educational progress of an orphan supported by your contributions. Organizations that demonstrate accountability foster the trust that is essential for developing a lasting relationship between donors and charitable organizations.
Donations to Islamic charity can be directed towards a vast array of charitable purposes. Understanding the specific needs of the communities being served will enable you to make a more informed and emotionally meaningful decision about the charitable purpose to which you wish to direct your contributions.
Millions of children worldwide are bereft of one or both parents due to disease, natural disasters, war and other calamities. Unless some form of assistance is provided, these children will grow up facing a desperate future, exposed to malnutrition, exploitation and the complete absence of education.
Orphan care is highly regarded in Islamic tradition. Providing for the welfare of an orphan, including food, shelter, clothing, education, etc., is considered one of the highest forms of good deeds a person can undertake. By supporting existing institutions such as the KORT Educational Complex in Azad Kashmir, your Zakat and Sadaqah contributions are doing far more than providing a temporary meal for the children. They are providing a stable and caring environment for children to receive quality education, receive comprehensive medical attention, and develop the self-confidence and skills to overcome poverty and become productive and successful members of society.
Clean drinking water is a fundamental human right that millions of people lack access to, resulting in many suffering from water-borne diseases as a result of contamination. Funding the construction of a hand-pump or a large scale solar powered water filtration system is a very impactful way to contribute to Sadaqah Jariyah. Such a filtration system can provide thousands of people with clean drinking water daily, and greatly enhance the health and agricultural opportunities of the community it serves.
Emergency medical supplies and accessibility equipment are also a way to change the lives of individuals immediately. Providing a wheelchair to a disabled individual can restore his/her ability to walk, regain their dignity, and engage fully in community activities. Similarly, providing medical supplies, using Zakat monies, can assure that poor families do not have to choose between purchasing food for their children and purchasing life saving medicine.
Zakat is a mandatory annual charitable payment required of all eligible adult Muslims whose total wealth exceeds the Nisab (minimum threshold of wealth) and who have held such wealth for at least a full lunar year. Zakat is calculated at a rate of 2.5 percent of the net worth of qualifying property. Sadaqah is entirely voluntary, has no minimum threshold of wealth, no fixed rate of contribution, and can be contributed to any person in need at any time during the year.
If you are contributing to Sadaqah, you can contribute any amount you desire. If you are calculating your obligatory Zakat contribution, you must assess the total wealth you held for a full lunar year. This includes cash in bank accounts, gold, silver, inventory and business assets, less immediate debts. You then pay 2.5 percent of the net amount of qualifying wealth, if the amount of qualifying wealth equals or exceeds the current Nisab amount.
Yes, Zakat can be paid online. Most reputable charities now offer dedicated, encrypted payment portals that permit you to direct your Zakat payments to the exact cause you wish to support. Organizations like KORT ensure that all Zakat payments made via the internet are segregated and distributed to qualified recipients (such as orphans, widows, etc.) in compliance with Islamic guidelines.
It is perfectly safe to contribute to an Islamic charity organization, as long as you conduct the proper research. Look for organizations that are registered with official regulatory agencies, such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales in the case of organizations located in the United Kingdom. Assess their transparency policies, confirm if they maintain a 100% donation policy for Zakat and Sadaqah contributions, review their documented impact and the degree of accountability of the organization in handling your contributions.
