Hyderabad: Come the holy month of Ramzan, every Muslim gets ready to fast, pray, introspect and better himself by trying to refrain from sins and lead a life of piety. An important part of this cleansing process is by doing charity and taking care of fellow humans.
Islam has very clear guidelines regarding charity, it is as important as fasting and praying. Zakat, fitra and sadqa are all part of charity, however, each is distinct from the other. However, many find it difficult to understand this distinction.
While all three are compulsory, there are specific rules and approaches to each. While sadqa should be done by all, zakat and fitra are for people who can afford to do them, financially.
Maulana Nisar Ahmed says, “Zakat is not only a means to purify one’s wealth but it’s also a spiritual purification that serves to draw an individual closer to the Creator. Clearly, in addition to being a moral obligation, zakat is also a spiritual engagement, that is the reason why millions of Muslims give zakat to the poor every year.”
Maulana Afzal Barkati said, “Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s compulsory for Muslims to offer zakat, provided they meet certain conditions and criteria. Any Muslim who possesses the required nisaab (the minimum amount of wealth that one must have before zakat is payable) for one whole year is bound to pay zakat on that wealth. It is important that Muslims know exactly how much zakat they owe and how to calculate zakat so that the right amount can be given to the desired recipient.
Fitra is the grains given to the poor one the eve of Id.
This is to ensure that even the poorest of the poor do not go hungry on the day of the festival. Sadqa by itself means charity and it is mandatory on everyone.
