13 replies to this topic

[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

[Sam]

Wa'alaikumusalaam wrb,

1) The basic difference is that Sadaqa is charity and voluntary, whereby Zakat is an obligation, and thus not charity per se, whether or not you pay depends on how much wealth you have, and in some cases, for how long you have had it.

2) Sadaqa can be given to anyone, as it's voluntary. The Prophet said even a smile is sadaqa. Who can receive zakat however is usually specified, and one of the classes of people (out of eight, in the Shafi'i madhhab, at least), is people who's hearts are to be reconciled, including new converts to Islam, so that they don't feel alienated from other Muslims or such that it helps their certainty and faith in Islam to increase, and it is not dependent on them being rich or poor (if they are poor, they may fall into other zakat recipient categories).

[Jameela]

Wa'alaikumusalaam wrb,

1) The basic difference is that Sadaqa is charity and voluntary, whereby Zakat is an obligation, and thus not charity per se, whether or not you pay depends on how much wealth you have, and in some cases, for how long you have had it.

2) Sadaqa can be given to anyone, as it's voluntary. The Prophet said even a smile is sadaqa. Who can receive zakat however is usually specified, and one of the classes of people (out of eight, in the Shafi'i madhhab, at least), is people who's hearts are to be reconciled, including new converts to Islam, so that they don't feel alienated from other Muslims or such that it helps their certainty and faith in Islam to increase, and it is not dependent on them being rich or poor (if they are poor, they may fall into other zakat recipient categories).

Salam,

Thank you Sam and Brothers. You are very helpful.

Wassalam

[muslimmelissa]

Thanks for your question Jameela- i have also been wondering the same. I would like to add some more questions to yours:

1. Is it fard to pay zakaat al fitr before salaat ul eid? Who do you pay it to? How much?

2. If you haven't paid zakaat al fitr or general zakaat in the past, does it mean your fast wasn't accepted (if you were not aware of the obligation)? Can you make up for it?

[pakistan_zindabad]

To prevent stealin n robbery sadaqa can be given to disbelievers.SubhanAllah

[Mosty]

^It is permissable to give it in the form of money, whilst there is disagreement, it's not fair to say it's incorrect

[ArmedWithQuran&Sunnah]

Wa Alaycoom as salam

I didn't say it was incorrect, this is a fabrication on your part

As salamou alaycoom

[Mosty]

Wa `alaykum as-Salam,

You said:

It is not permissible to pay the value in money

Does impermissable mean it's correct or incorrect?

[ArmedWithQuran&Sunnah]

As salamou alaycoom,

Not permissible means not allowed.

However, as it states in my post,

If there are no poor people in the area, or those who will take it do not really need it and will not eat it, but will instead sell it at half price, and it is difficult to find poor and needy people who will eat it, then it is permissible to send it outside the country. It is permissible to give the price (of zakaat al-fitr) at the beginning of the month to an agent who will buy (zakaat al-fitr) and deliver it to deserving people at the time when it should be paid, which is the night before Eid or two days before that.

So as you can see, paying money is permissible (allowed) in these circumstances hence why the terms 'correct' and 'incorrect' does not apply but rather permissible and impermissible are more accurate descriptions.

As salamou alaycoom

[Mosty]

^And it is permissable to pay with money according to the Hanafi madhab, not just in those circumstances you stated.

The terms are used interchangably brother, if it is not allowed (impermissible) than it is incorrect.
But if it makes you feel better, then let me re-word it: it is not fair or correct to say that it is impermissible to give money for Zakat al-Fitr.

And there are other worthy recipients of Zakat other than the poor and the needy. It can also be given to the one whose heart needs to be reconciled, the one on jihad, the one who collects zakat, the one who has a debt, for the freeing of slaves and for the traveller.

Where did you post the above 'fatwa' from?

[Nowzad]

Wa Alaycoom as salam

I didn't say it was incorrect, this is a fabrication on your part

As salamou alaycoom

That's a bit harsh..

[Mosty]

From Nur al-Idah:

"It is permitted to give Sadaqat al-Fitr in cash that is equivalent of either one of the above. The most evident opinion upon which the fatwa is given, is that paying the equivalent in cash is best. For what is essential, is that which is most beneficial for the poor and needy."

From Reliance of the Traveller:

h7.6 The Zakat of `Eid al-Fitr consists of 2.03 litres of the main staple of the area in which it is given, of the kinds of crops on which zakat is payable (def: h3.2). (A: If the man staple is bread, as in many countries, only wheat may be given, and is what is meant by the expression giving food here and in all texts below dealing with expiations (e.g. j3.22(2)).) (N. The Hanafi school permits paying the poor the wheat's value in money, both here and for expiations.) It is permissible to give the best quality of staple food of the area, but not to give less than the usual quality (O: such as giving barely where wheat is the main staple).

Both Schools acknowledge the permissibility of paying Zakat al-Fitr with money. And the Shaf'is are allowed to use the Hanafi opinion when giving their Zakat al-Fitr if there is hardship in the other alternative. And here in Sydney, it is very difficult to find worthy Zakat recipients who you can give food to, instead money is given. And it is permissible.

[ArmedWithQuran&Sunnah]

As Salamou Alaycoom Mosty,

I suppose the right answer would depend on which school of thought you follow but of a certainty, neither the prophet (peace and blessings upon him) nor any of his companions ever paid the zakaat al fitr with money. it was always food.

May Allah (sobhanu wa ta'ala) accept our zakaat according to our niya (intentions), Ameen!

As Salamou Alaycoom.

[pakistan_zindabad]

little knowledge with no Iman very dangerous SubhanAllah.
Everythin we own or possess ZAKAT N SADAQA must be given to deservin people first Muslims anythin could be given and
than disbelievers )only food)
Fastin is also body's Zakat.
There's a Hadith Mubaraka that RasoolAllah (SAWS) has reminded us that 4000 Dinar must be given in a day .If one's unable than Recite
Surah AlFatiha 4 times before sleep wud be okay. in other words.
chartiy n donation feedin Halal animals must be done daily even if its little. As everythin depends on sincere niyat.SubhanAllah.