What is Zakat?

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and is a form of worship that involves wealth. However, it is
obligatory upon Muslims to pay a portion of his earnings once in a lunar (Hijra) year to the poor
and the needy when their earnings reach a prescribed amount (called “Nisab” ) above their
needs. Commanded to the Muslims in the second year of Hijra Allah (SWT) says in the Holy
Qur’an: 
“And establish regular Prayer and give Zakah, and bow down your heads with those who bow
down (in prayer).” (2:43)

What the word Zakat means?

It derives from the Arabic word “Zakah” which means “cleanliness, purification, increase,
growth, righteousness, blessing and praise.”

When, how much, and to whom to pay?

Zakah has to be paid once a year from the date a Muslim wealth equals or exceed he Nisab.
However, only 2.5% of the wealth has to be donate to the eight categories of eligible recipients
described in the Holy Quran. 

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect
[zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and
for those in debt and the cause of Allah and the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed]
by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Al-Tawba: 60)

Pay your Zakat Now

To know whether you are eligible to pay Zakat, we have developed an easy-to-use Zakat
Calculator.

What are the benefits of paying Zakat?

Zakat has many benefits and several positive impacts on the society.

 It is for the welfare of the unprivileged people of society.

 It is the blessing of Allah (SWT) for the giver and the receiver, as it improves the economy of a
nation.
 It establishes a society on humanitarian grounds.
 It removes the economic hardship for the poor and reduces the inequality among different groups
of people in society.
 It satisfies the recipient’s needs and alleviates his financial and mental suffering. Thus, it creates
love and brotherhood between the rich and poor, minimizes social tensions, and bridges the gap
between the poor and rich. In this way, Zakah develops social and economic security in the
community and brings all members closer together.

If today the whole world follows the principle of Zakat, all the financial problems,
unemployment, and poverty would vanish, thus reducing crime and frustration in society.

How does Hayat Orphanage use your donations?

At Hayat Orphanage, we use your donation/zakat in the best possible manner. Fortunately, Hayat
Orphanage at the moment supports 100+ orphan children in Afghanistan. They receive
proper education, lodging, food, clothing, school books, shoes, medications, and other primary
necessities. And with your continuous donations, we can be able to help more and more orphans
across the country.

Donate Your Zakat

Types of Zakat
In Islam, we have two types of Zakat, the first one is Zakat in wealth, and the second one
is Zakat-al-Fitr. Zakat in wealth is the third pillar of Islam. It is obligatory upon Muslims whose
annual income has exceeded the Nisab threshold. They are obliged to pay only 2.5% of their
earnings to the poor and the needy once a year. Zakat-al-Fitr is paid at the end
of Ramazan before Eid-ul-Fitr congregational prayer and is also a compulsory deed upon
Muslims. However, the rate per person to pay Zakat-al-Fitr is 5 pounds in the UK.

What is Fidya?
“Fast a prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then let them
fast an equal number of days after Ramadan. For those who only fast with extreme difficulty,
compensation is to feed a needy person for every missed day. But whoever volunteers to give
more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.” Al-Baqarah 2:184
The prescribed amount for Fidya described in the Holy Quran is to feed a needy for every day
not fasted that is equal to 5 pounds/day in the UK. If you are not sure about the amount of Fidya
per day in your country, please consult a scholar in your hometown.
At Hayat Orphanage, we accept your Fidya and spend it by providing food facilities to
the orphan boys and girls across Afghanistan. And with your Zakat we help their families
financially and provide the best class education to the orphan children. However, we need your
continuous support and cooperation to continue our humanitarian aid to the orphans in
Afghanistan.
 What is Kaffarah?
Kaffarah becomes compulsory when a Muslim intentionally and without a valid reason breaks
his fast during the month of Ramazan. Kaffarah is a penalty set forth by Allah for those who
intentionally break their oath. And by paying Kaffarah Allah forgives the sins. However,
Kaffarah becomes obligatory when a person while fasting in Ramazan

 Intentionally eat or drink

 Intentionally vomit
 Have sexual intercourse or masturbate
 Intentionally miss fast during Ramazan

And to compensate Kaffarah for each day of Fasting missed during Ramazan, the person must
either

 Feed 60 needy, or
 Free one slave from captive, or
 Fast for two consecutive months

In the UK, the per day of Kaffarah for 60 people is 300 pounds. If you are not sure about the
amount of Kaffarah set in your country, please consult an Islamic scholar in your hometown.
However, we accept your Kaffarh at Hayat Orphanage and use it to provide food facilities to
the Afghan orphan children in our orphanage and across Afghanistan. Currently, we support
100+ orphans at the orphanage, and the number increases day by day. We also provide them with
the best class education services with proper accommodation, clothing, and stationeries.
Fidya is a compulsory charity act upon those Muslims who cannot fast during the month of
Ramazan. And that is because of an illness, pregnancy, travel, menstruation, old age, and any
other valid reasons. As described in the Holy Quran, Allah says:

Eight categories of people are eligible to receive Zakat mentioned in the Holy Quran in Surah
Tawba, Ayat 60. And are as follows:

 The poor
 The needy
 Zakat Administrators
 Freeing of slaves/captives
 To bring hearts together for Islam
 Those in debt
 Those in the path of Allah
 Travelers (including refugees)