During Ramadan, many Muslims will have taken the opportunity to fulfil another religious obligation – Zakat, or the giving of alms to the poor and needy.
The two form part of the five pillars of Islam – the others being faith in one God, praying five times a day and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
Ramadan and Zakat have come to have an arm-in-arm relationship. Zakat is based on a person’s wealth after one Islamic (lunar) year and involves giving 2.5% of personal wealth to the poorest and most needy.
It’s obligatory and can be paid at any time, but many Muslims coincide payment with Ramadan as it is believed to increase spiritual rewards during this month.
Many in the UK also decide to donate their Zakat to help people in other countries. This can come down to family or community ties, or a feeling that other parts of the world – especially those stricken by conflict or poverty – are far more deserving.
It’s been estimated that each year in Britain during Ramadan, Muslims give around £100million to charities. Allied with that are the findings of an ICM poll which found that among faith groups, Muslims were the most generous donors to charity, giving an average of £371 per year.
With such sums involved, it’s not surprising that calls have increased for Muslims to donate their Zakat for use in the UK. With the growth in austerity and poverty – relative as it may be – on the increase, it’s an argument that has plenty of merits.
However, it’s a bit more complex than just saying ‘charity starts at home’. There are eight groups listed in the Quran as being eligible to receive Zakat.
They include the poor; the needy; Zakat administrators; slaves; those in debt; in the cause of God; the traveller (who is stranded or with few resources), and – for the sake of the argument here, perhaps the most noteworthy – those whose hearts are to be reconciled.
This last group has been interpreted by some to mean new converts to Islam while others have argued it includes those who show sympathy or friendliness towards Islam and Muslims.
However, while there may be confusion or ongoing debate over the merits of giving Zakat to non-Muslims, it doesn’t prevent Muslims from donating to or directly helping non-Muslims.
There is another form of charity known as Sadaqah (charity which has ongoing benefits and rewards) that is highly valued in Islam. It can be used to help anyone and everyone.
So to any Muslims in doubt about giving – don’t be. You can help people in need irrespective of their religion, race, colour or creed. Charity truly can begin at home.
Mohammed Ilyas is the Press & Publicity manager for the charity Islamic Help. The views expressed in this column are his personal opinions.
