Donation Types

Zakat Chicago (ZC) is dedicated to providing for the community’s Zakat-eligible needs in accordance with our mission. In addition to Zakat, we are now making a concerted effort to include other types of donations. These other kinds of donations are used to provide for needs that are not Zakat-eligible, but are still essential to the well-being of our community. We have included brief explanations of the different kinds of donations we receive.

Zakat

Starting with Zakat, Zakat is an annual charity prescribed in the Islamic teachings. The rich of the community are required to give a small, but designated portion of their wealth yearly. They are to give this charity to the people/projects in need in the community. Givers of Zakat can channel their giving through a central Zakat institution, like Zakat Chicago, their local mosque, or give directly to those in need.

Zakat’s importance for Muslims is clear from the Quran and the Hadith (the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)). The Quran calls it an ordinance from Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) has declared it to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Great blessings are described for giving Zakat and severe consequences are specified for those withholding of Zakat in both the Quran and Hadith.

Fitrah

Fitrah, also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr or Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, is a special charity paid to the needy on or before the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, which is the first day of the month of Shawwal following the month of Ramadan. It’s paid as atonement for any shortcomings in the worship of Fasting during the month of Ramadan.

On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the completion of the month of Ramadan, every Muslim possessing an amount of food in excess of his and his family’s need for a day is mandated to pay Fitrah on behalf of himself and all his dependent(s).

Fitrah is the one full meal per person or cash equivalent to the cost of one full meal, given directly to the needy of the community before Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. Arrangements for paying Fitrah should be made ahead of time so that it reaches the eligible recipients in time for them to make use of it on Eid day. The quantity of Zakat-ul-Fitr traditionally amounts to one Sa’, which is equivalent to 3 to 4 Kg of food such as wheat, barley, rice, or the like. In Greater Chicago, the cash equivalent of Fitrah has been determined by Islamic Organizations to be$10 per household member.

Sadaqa and Charity

Charitable giving, across all faiths, is universally encouraged. Sadaqa, the Arabic word for charity, is a voluntary form of giving that Muslims are encouraged to give. The Quran mentions giving charity numerous times and describes immense blessings and rewards for it and those who give it. It is vital for the life of a community and can be used for the essential needs that are not eligible for Zakat.Learn More About Zakat section.

Whereas Zakat is an obligatory act of sharing that happens once a year, Sadaqa/Charity is a voluntary and ongoing form of giving where donations can occur year-round to different causes and organizations with no minimum amount provided or time frame to work with.

Sadaqa doesn’t have the same parameters that Zakat has. Instead, individuals can donate freely any amount whenever they choose. There are generally two types of Sadaqa: one, a donation that helps for the short-term simply called Sadaqa and two, a donation that continues to give in the long-term and even after death, known as Sadaqa Jariyah.

Donation Types

Donation Types

Zakat

Fitrah

Sadaqa and Charity

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