Ways Of Giving in Islam

Islam is not only a religion, it's a complete code of life. It educates us in every aspect of life, let it be personal, social, economic, or religious. Islam believes in equality for all irrespective of caste, creed, race or social economic background. Therefore it has woven Muslims into a single brotherhood. As it is said,’ muslims are but a single brotherhood’.

To execute the principle of equality islam has derived some ways. These ways are of giving, giving in the form of sadqa, zakat, fitrana, fidya. When a well to do Muslim gives away his money, he freed himself from love of money. It purifies his heart. Similarly, the heart of the receiver is purified from jealousy and envy from his well-off fellow Muslim. This is the beauty of Islam. It prevents accumulation of wealth in a few hands. Instead, it promotes circulation of wealth.

Ways of giving in Islam;

• Zakat
• Sadqah
• Fitrana
• Fidya

Zakat:

A major pillar on which the structure of Islam stands is Zakat, which can be defined as that portion of a man's wealth which is designated for the poor. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself described Zakat as wealth which is taken from the rich and given to the poor.

Nisab is the minimum amount of net capital that a Muslim must possess in order to be eligible to pay Zakat, which is prescribed as the equivalent of 87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of gold and 612.36 grams (52.5 tola) of silver, respectively.

Zakat is due only if the wealth equal to or above the Nisab has been owned for a full Islamic lunar year (hawl).

Masarif e zakat

The term masarif e zakat refers to the individuals or groups who are eligible for taking zakat.

نَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَالْمَسٰکِیْنِ وَالْعٰمِلِیْنَ عَلَیْھَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَۃِ قُلُوْبُھُمْ وَ فِی الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِیْنَ وَفِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ وَابْنِ السَّبِیْلِ ؕ فَرِیْضَۃً مِّنَ اللّٰہِ ط وَاللّٰہُ عَلِیْمٌ حَکِیْمٌ۔

Meaning: “Indeed sadaqah is for Fakirs, Masakeen and for Amileen (those deployed to collect zakat), those in whose hearts the inculcation of love for Islam is aimed at, and to free the captives and remove the burden of debtors and (those who toil hard) in the way of Allah and for the wayfarers. This has been prescribed by Allah. Allah, the All-Knower, the Most Wise.” Surah Tauba (9:60)

The eight categories designated by the Quran for zakat distribution are:

• The poor (Al-Fuqara): Those in dire need of financial assistance.
• The needy (Al-Masakin): Individuals who require help but do not meet the criteria for the poor.
• Those employed to collect or administer zakat (Al-Amileen): Individuals who collect and distribute zakat.
• Those whose hearts are to be reconciled (Al-Muallafat): New Muslims or those who need to strengthen their faith.
• The freed slaves (Al-Riqab): Individuals who have been freed from slavery.
• The debtors (Al-Gharimeen): Those in debt who cannot pay it off without assistance.
• For the cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah): Those involved in Jihad or other noble causes.
• The wayfarers (Ibn Sabeel): Travelers who are stranded and have run out of money.

What is fidya in Islam?

Fidya, derived from the Arabic root “Fidyah,” refers to compensation that a person must pay if they are unable to fast during Ramadan due to valid reasons and cannot make up for the missed fasts later. The Quran explicitly mentions this in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184):

“[Fasting is for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”

This verse highlights that Fidya serves as a substitute for fasting, enabling individuals who face legitimate challenges to fulfil their duties in a way that benefits society by helping the needy.

Who Should Pay Fidya?

Fidya is meant for individuals who:

• Have long-term or chronic illnesses: People with health conditions that prevent them from fasting and who are unlikely to recover.
• Are elderly: Those who are too weak to fast and cannot make up the missed fasts later.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding: In cases where fasting could harm the mother or child, although some scholars suggest these individuals can make up their fasts later if possible.
• Face terminal illness: Those suffering from conditions that make fasting or compensatory fasting impossible.

Fidya vs Kaffarah: What’s the Difference?

• Fidya is paid when a fast is missed for a valid reason (e.g., chronic illness) and cannot be made up.
• Kaffarah, on the other hand, is a penalty for breaking a fast without a valid reason. The payment for Kaffarah is significantly more—feeding 60 poor people or fasting for 60 consecutive days.

The amount of Fidya for each missed fast is equivalent to feeding one poor person two meals or giving the monetary value of those meals. The cost is calculated based on the local staple food (e.g., wheat, rice, or dates). For example, it could be the value of approximately 1.5kg of wheat or its equivalent.

Steps to Calculate Fidya for Ramadan:

1- Count the total number of fasts missed.

1- Multiply the number of days by the cost of two meals or the equivalent staple food per day.

Fidya can be fulfilled in the following ways:

• Feeding the poor directly: This can be done by providing cooked meals or distributing staple foods to the needy.
• Donating to a trusted Islamic organisation like Pakistan Citizens Alliance: Many organisations collect Fidya and distribute it on your behalf.

What is fitrana?

Fitrana, also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr, is a compulsory form of charity that Muslims are required to give at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It serves as a means of purifying one’s fasts from any shortcomings and ensures that the poor and needy can also celebrate Eid with dignity.

When to give Fitrana?

The payment of Fitrana becomes obligatory after the sunset on the evening of the last fast of Ramadan. Once the moon of Shawwal is sighted, each person who is obliged to pay Fitrana, must pay it forward, before the Eid day.

Who should give Fitrana?

People who have reached puberty are sane, not needy, and poor should pay Fitrana. If a family has one breadwinner and 6 dependents, he should pay for each one of his dependents.

How much to pay?

Each year there is a set amount that needs to be given, it fluctuates due to the changing socio-economic conditions. Fitrana is measured as three and a half kilogram of wheat, barley, rice or any staple edible item for each person. If you don’t want to pay in terms of food, one can also pay in cash. The amount of money is settled through a conversion of the three and a half kilos of food into money.

Who deserves it?

One can distribute money to the deserving people and the preference for Fitrana should be as follows: relatives, poor neighbors, the needy in general and the collectors of Zakat. Keep in mind that non-Muslims are not deserving of Fitrana and one should be weary of who they are giving to.