Question What is the difference between Sadaqa and Zakat?

[Jameela]

Assalamu alaikum sisters and brothers,

Question 1: Could someone please explain the difference between Sadaqa and Zakat?

Question 2: I hear that Sadaqa is to be paid to a poor person when one converts to Islam. Is this correct?

Wasallam

[Abul Hasan]

Assalamu alaikum sisters and brothers,

Question 1: Could someone please explain the difference between Sadaqa and Zakat?

Question 2: I hear that Sadaqa is to be paid to a poor person when one converts to Islam. Is this correct?

Wa a'aykumus salaam warahmatullah

Sadaqa is optional charity that you can give whenever you want, as much as you want, to any person/organisation that you feel needs it or will put it to good use.

Zakah (Arabic is Zakah, Urdu is Zakat) is a compulsory 2.5% payment that a person must give from their wealth. You can read more on the differences here.

There are a few conditions with zakah that have to be fulfilled before it becomes due on you:

1. Zakah only becomes due after the passing of a complete lunar year.

2. You must have a minimum amount of wealth that should not have gone below a certain threshold over the course of this year. In Arabic, this threshold is called the nisaab.

3. There are specific types of wealth on which zakah becomes due. I'll post a link later inshallah.

4. Zakah can be given to only certain specific people. This is a very detailed discussion on this topic. If you don't understand some of the words, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Jameela]

Thank you Abul,

Your reply is very helpful to me. Yes, I have been speaking with someone who speaks Urdu, so I appreciate your correction ('Zakat' (Urdu) to 'Zakah' in Arabic).

Wasalaam

[ayesha.ansari]

Definition of Zakah


Zakah means to "purify". It refers to the purification of a Muslim's wealth and soul. Wealth purification denotes the mobilization of assets for the purpose of financial growth and justified distribution. Purification of the soul implies freedom from hatred, jealousy, selfishness, uneasiness and greed. Other Qur'anic connotations include the purification of sin.

Technically, zakah is a fixed proportion collected from the surplus wealth and earnings of a Muslim. It is then distributed to prescribed beneficiaries and for the welfare as well as the infrastructure of a Muslim society in general. This contribution is made payable by a Muslim once in every lunar year (Islamic Calendar/Hijri).

Zakah is paid on the net balance after a Muslim has spent on basic necessities, family expenses, due credits, donations and taxes. Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the Hijri year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or more in cash or articles of trade, must pay his or her zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5%.

What Is Sadaqah?

Sadaqah is a voluntary act of giving alms 'fi sabillilah' (for the cause of Allah), by Muslims who want to contribute more than their obligatory zakah payment. Sadaqah may be given to mark or bring blessings to occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, personal success or even instances of sadness or bereavement. In short, sadaqah can be given during any period of happiness or sadness or as a sign of gratitude to Allah Subhanu wa Ta'ala.

In a Hadeeth Narrated Ibn Masud:
I heard the Prophet (S.A.W.) saying, "There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to others."

In another Hadeeth:
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim'. He was then asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons'. The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good'. The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity'.

[umm hafsa]

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At anyone, you are stuck with a question, or there is a delay in getting a reply here. Please visit

Islam Question and Answer

This is considered one of the best islamic website by most people and alhumdulilah has alot of benefit. You can search up almost everything here from zakah to even mermaids!

jazakallah
ps: Just my adivse, you are new to islam, take things very slowly slowly inshallah, dont rush into anything. With time it all becomes simple but if you try to learn alot in a short amount of time it might become overwellming for you. You might get put off.

jazakallah

[al_azhar]

Zakat is a compulsory action of giving 2.5% of excess wealth when a year has passed on it, to the poor, however if not performed punishment is given. fficeffice" />>>
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Sadaqa is a voluntary action in giving charity to the poor if performed rewarded, however if not performed no punishment is given. >>