Difference between zakaah, fitrah and sadaqah
Question
I am listening to a lecture here at work and just determined or realised that there is a difference between zakaat, fitrah and sadaqah and I realised that I don't think I pay zakat? I feel so ashamed now as I was so ignorant to this and I would like to rectify this immediately. I tried to Google zakaat now but its a bit confusing. So if I may, can Mufti explain to me the difference between the 3 and how do I calculate zakaat and when I must pay it. Your guidance and assistance is greatly appreciated.
Answer
Sadaqah is optional charity that can be given at any time to any destitute or any righteous course.
Fitrah is approx. 3.2 kg of grains, such as wheat etc. or its equivalent in cash that is given to a poor Muslim at the end of Ramadhaan.
Zakaat is 2.5 percent of wealth that is taken out yearly from the wealth of a person who is the owner of nisaab.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَاللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿التوبة: ٦٠﴾
عن عدي بن حاتم قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم ما منكم من رجل إلا سيكلمه ربه يوم القيامة وليس بينه ترجمان فينظر أيمن منه فلا يرى شيئا إلا شيئا قدمه ثم ينظر أشأم منه فلا يرى شيئا إلا شيئا قدمه ثم ينظر تلقاء وجهه فتستقبله النار قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم من استطاع منكم أن يقي وجهه حر النار ولو بشق تمرة فليفعل (ترمذي #2415)
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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