What's new Donate Contact Us Alim Mobile App

Zakah and Zakat al-Fitr

Date: May 20, 2020

We are in the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, extra prayers, and charity. Our Creator, Allah SWT, requires us to fulfill our obligation to (1) Him, the Lord of the universe, and (2) his creation, with humans being the most important of those creations. We can accomplish this by (1) worshipping Allah and (2) giving charity (both obligatory and voluntary). Both Zakah and Zakat al-Fitr are obligatory upon every Muslim who fulfills the requirements. Zakah means growth, increase and purification. It is a means of cleansing halal income and wealth. It is given once every year, at any time during the year and is required for every person who meets the Nisab. Giving Zakah is a form of worship and a good deed, for which the reward is greatly increased during this blessed month. For this reason, many Muslims prefer to give their required Zakah during Ramadan in order to maximize their rewards. Zakat al-Fitr (or fitrana) is a form of Zakah given during Ramadan to needy, poor, and destitute Muslims in order to give them the means to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. It must be in the hands of the recipient before Eid prayers in order to fulfill its purpose. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay zakat al-Fitr. The Alim Foundation Inc., NMS/NH: May 18, 2020

Precious Gifts a Person Leaves Behind

"The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him."

Sunan Ibn Mājah

Angelic Daily Prayers for Generosity

"Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.'"

Sahih Bukhari

Related Blogs

The Beautiful Concept of Zakat

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The word Zakat means purification and growth. Quran promotes feeding hungry people and helping the poor. Since, the month of Ramadan is termed as the very month of forgiveness, blessings, helping others, prayers and thanks giving. Zakat is an activity connected with prayer and compassion towards the poor people. Allah says that provide Zakat with prayers and it will make you and the receiver blessed. Conditions for Zakat Giving If you are possessing property in excess of a minimum exemption limit, you must give Zakat to the needy. Another term is that if your wealth equal to or in surplus of Nisab in the beginning and at the end of the lunar year, you must give Zakat. At the same time, at the end of the lunar year if the wealth is less than the Nisab, it is not necessary to give Zakat. It says that Zakat is due on all the gold and silver ornaments, jewellery. All bank deposits and provident fund will fall under the Zakat giving. It is also said that if one has agriculture land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a nearby water channel, the yield of the land must be provided as Zakat. Zakat is obligatory on goats, sheep, cows, buffaloes and camels which graze on wild grass, plant leaves and on some feed, now and then given by the owner, and on the above animals meant for sale. Do Not Give Zakat to these People * To a person who owns minimum 7 1/2 tolas of gold or 52 1/2 tolas of silver or equivalent wealth in cash, kind or in trade goods. * To one’s mother, father, paternal and maternal grand-parents, great grand-parents, etc. * To one’s offspring-sons, daughters, grand-children, great grand-children, etc. * to spouse * To other relatives such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc. * To Sayyeds(descendants of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). * To domestic or other servants as wages. * Zakat cannot be given for repairing or maintenance of mosque. * Do not pay Zakat to meet the funeral expenses.

Islamic New Year, The month of MUHARRAM, And Ashura

Do we know? Majority of Muslims celebrate January 1 each year as New Year but do not pay much attention to our own Islamic New Year that begins on Muharram 1. This year we have already entered in our New Year but without any observance and without even saying a Takbeer! Let us remember, the Islamic calendar starts with the month of Muharram. Some months of the Islamic calendar have more virtues than the other, and Muharram is one among them. This month is highly important because on the first day of Muharram our beloved Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (SAW) left Mecca and traveled to Madinah with his close companion Abu Baker (may Allah be pleased with him). This journey is called as migration in Islamic history. The purpose of this migration, as we know, was to safeguard his life and calling to Islam. The most significant day of this month is the 10th day which is known as “ASHURA.” When Prophet (SAW) came to Madinah he found the Jews fasting on this day of the month. Upon enquiry, he came to know that the Jews fasted on this day to thank GOD for saving Moses (Alaih-is Salam) and his companions and drowned Firoun and his people. Moosa (Alaih-is Salam) fasted on this day to thank Allah (SWT). On hearing this Prophet (SAW) said,” we are worthier of Moosa (Alaih-is Salam) than you and so we will also fast to thank Allah (SWT). But to stand apart from the Jews Rasool Ullah (SAW) asked his companions to fast on the 9th and 10th of this month or the 10th and 11th. Although the fast of the month of Muharram is not obligatory, the one who fasts on these days will be rewarded greatly by Allah (SWT). Every minute of our life is a gift from Allah (SWT) and we should try to make it useful and to please HIM, SWT. Every single day or month is special if we use it correctly, therefore, follow what was taught and practiced by Rasool Ullah (SAW) and please ALLAH (SWT) by doing so.

Arabic Playhouse Has Been Integrated With Alim.org

Assalamualaykum, For everyone who has young children or anyone who is interested in learning how to read the Quran, I’m happy to inform you that Arabic Playhouse has been integrated with Alim.org! Just visit Alim.org and click on “Learn Arabic”. Arabic Playhouse is a free, unique and exciting educational software product that makes learning Quranic Arabic fun and interesting for the whole family! From simple letters, to inflections, to connecting words and finally to reading ayaat, Arabic Playhouse takes you step by step from zero exposure to Arabic to the ability to read passages. Whether you are a beginner or just need some brushing up, Arabic Playhouse is an easy and effective way to learn how to read Quranic Arabic. If you know anyone who may benefit from this, spread the word! -The Alim.org Team