List of Top 10 Zakat Accepting Organizations in Australia
True narratives can teach humans a lot about life. Many thought-provoking incidents have been narrated in the Hadith to teach humans about the spiritual significance of having deep faith in the Almighty Allah (S.W.T). Islamic narratives also tell us the benefits of fulfilling all worldly responsibilities towards our families, relatives, and community thus , Islam teaches a balance between the Holy and the mundane. Zakat is the 3rd pillar of Islam that ensure spiritual cleansing and communal harmony. In this article, we will discus List of Top 10 Zakat Accepting Organizations in Australia.
Importance of Zakat in Islam
According to a Hadith:
The Prophet (ﷺ) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1395)
According to another Hadith,” A woman came to me along with her two daughters. She asked me for (charity) but she found nothing with me except one date, so I gave her that. She accepted it and then divided it between her two daughters and herself ate nothing out of that. She then got up and went out, and so did her two daughters. (In the meanwhile) Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) visited me and I narrated to him her story. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) said: He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he accords benevolent treatment towards them, there would be protection for him against Hell-Fire.” (Sahih Muslim, 2629)
Hadith clearly teaches us two things. One, you should never return a needy person empty-handed from your doorstep and should help them with whatever you have. Secondly, Allah (S.W.T) will show you mercy both in this world and in the hereafter, only if you show mercy to the poor and needy by relieving their sufferings and agony in this world.
Giving Zakat is mandatory in Islam because it spiritually purifies one’s wealth. Zakat helps to reform the character of believer by curbing greed .
Giving Zakat is essential for the well-being of the needy as well as the ultimate peace of the wealthy. We should realize the strength vested in our hands in the form of Zakat and learn to harness it to uplift our needy community from poverty, sickness and isolation.
All affluent Muslims must understand the importance of Zakat and start giving it now.
List of Top 10 Zakat Accepting Organizations in Australia
1. Transparent Hands
2. Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam’ah Association Australia
3. National Zakat Foundation Australia
4. Al-Ihsan Foundation
5. Charity Australia International
6. Human Appeal Australia
7. Islamic Relief Australia
8. Islamic Society of Darwin
9. Muslim Aid Australia
10. United Muslims of Australia
1. Transparent Hands:
Committed to Providing Free Surgeries to Those Who Cannot Afford:
“Transparent Hands” is an online crowdfunding platform that provides free healthcare and surgeries to needy Pakistanis. We have helped almost 260,000 deserving individuals since we started our work in 2014. We have a strong mother-and-child support program that has helped thousands of young mothers and their children recover. We support various surgeries, including cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, ENT surgery, general surgery, gynaecological surgery, paediatric surgery, urological surgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, eye surgery, oncologic surgery, obstetrical surgery, paediatric cardiac surgery, plastic surgery ,and cochlear-implant surgery.
Another important feature of Transparent Hand’s work is the organization of medical camps. We arrange medical camps in low-income areas to benefit patients. Our medical camps provide free medical check-ups, medicines, and diagnostic services. These camps are managed by professional doctors and paramedics. Donating to Transparent Hands is simple. Donors from around the world can use our online Crowdfunding web portal to make their donations. You can select any patient, fund the surgery and receive regular feedback and updates, until the patient is recovered completely.
Our User Friendly Online Fundraising Work As Follows:
- Choose the patient whose surgery you want to fund.
- Choose from a number of payment methods as per your convenience.
- Donate to that particular patient and get tax exemption.
- Get regular updates of that patient until he/she gets fully recovered.
Why Donate to Us?
- You want to save the lives of people by donating to their surgical treatment.
- You need complete transparency of where your donation/charity is going.
- We are a Sharia-compliant organization, and we work under the guidance of a learned Islamic scholar.
Donors can completely put their trust in us regarding their donations and charity. In order to ensure complete transparency, Transparent Hands uploads all the documents with the patient’s success stories, so the donors can see that their money is spent on a right cause.
Download our TransparentHands iPhone Application for Online Donation
2. Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam’ah Association Australia :
Who They Are :
“Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam’ah Association of Australia” is a not for profit organization, focusing on servicing the needs of the Muslim community.
The Meaning of Ahlus Sunnah :
The term Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah (People of the Sunnah and the mainstream) can be traced back to the famous companions of the Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم, Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood and Abdullaah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them). Ibn Mas’ood commenting on the verse in the Qur’an in surah A’-Imraan (which means);
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves.” (3:103)
Main Centres & Branches :
Three decades on, Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah (ASWJ) is continually growing and changing to cater for the needs of Muslim Australians. We currently have centres in 3 states, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
The organization also enjoys strong ties with many other Mosques and organizations across Australia.
Zakat Collection:
Working with internationally recognized affiliates they guarantee your donations and Zakat are delivered to those in need around the world.
Give Zakat, Fulfil Your Religious Duty
3. National Zakat Foundation Australia :
What They Do :
“National Zakat Foundation” is a ground-breaking initiative which aims to utilize Zakat funds and voluntary donations collected in Australia for the benefit of local, deserving recipients.
This group includes some of the most vulnerable members of their community, including widows, orphans, refugees, the aged as well as the homeless.
Mission :
Their mission is to provide the Muslim community with an end to end zakat service.
Distribution :
To efficiently and effectively distribute Zakat and Sadaqah funds to deserving members of the Muslim community in Australia. Their work in this area includes:
- Zakat Fund – A lifeline to those in need who have no other forms of assistance available to them. Some of the items the Zakat Fund has helped to provide eligible recipients with emergency accommodation, food vouchers, furniture items, clothing and essential travel costs.
- Partnerships – Developing key partnerships with other organizations to help deliver additional support services to the Muslim community.
Calculation :
Providing the Muslim community with the most effective and accurate means of calculating Zakat. Services include:
Zakat Calculator :
A sophisticated and easy to use online calculator, which enables users to accurately calculate their Zakat.
Q & A Service :
An e-mail service enabling users to submit detailed questions to qualified scholars regarding their Zakat.
Sadaqah Promises Numerous Spiritual Awards
4. Al-Ihsan Foundation
“Al-Ihsan Foundation Australia International Limited” is a not-for-profit public relief organization, determined to provide aid to all persons and families who are in need. The term Al-Ihsan is an Arabic word that refers to ‘perfection’ or ‘excellence’. The matter of perfecting their deeds and actions is a matter of inner faith borne from religious teachings, and is one of the defining pillars in their organization that holds them up and brings them together.
Vision :
Humanitarian assistance has always been a priority to all the people associated and affiliated with Al-Ihsan Foundation International.
Al-Ihsan was founded with a vision to provide humanitarian relief to all individuals and their families who are in need of care and assistance, and thus to reach all corners of the earth and eventually rid the world of poverty.
Mission Statement :
Al-Ihsan knows the importance of immediate access to food, medical aid and emergency shelters during times of natural disasters, poverty and other emergency situations. They thus strive to provide rapid mobilization and action, with a mission to establish and maintain a (global) society that serves and empowers all those in need. They struggle to fulfill and complete their services through regular contact and periodic visitations.
Al-Ihsan ventures to continue to assist and serve communities until their assistance and services are no longer required.
What is Zakat Al-Fitr ?
Zakat Al-Fitr is an obligatory charity during Ramadan that every (financially capable) adult Muslim is to pay before the day of Eid Al-Fitr and is to be given to the poor and needy.
Who is Zakat Al-Fitr Obligatory Upon?
The head of the family must pay on behalf of his/herself and on behalf of any dependents within the family.
You Can donate your zakat to Al-Ihsan Foundation.
5. Charity Australia International :
“Charity Australia” is a non-profit organization, working for the uplift of humanity through different activities and ideas. So its mission statement is “uplift of human society and helps needy and less privileged people”.
Their Vision :
To generate resources through fundraising initiatives and community partnerships, and use those funds to make an impact in the lives of children. To attract volunteers and partners who are passionate about helping children.
Their Mission :
To transform communities through helping children, youth and their families who need support”, to ensure that this mission is written in a way that is consistent with the other missions.
Zakat of Wealth :
Ramadan is the best time, for many among us to fulfill our zakat obligations on our wealth (one of the five pillars of Islam). Charity Australia is collecting Zakat ul Maal for more than ten years, they are distributing Zakat ul Maal in strict guidance of the Quran and Sunnah. They will Insha-Allah be collecting and distributing your Zakat and Zakat-ul-Fitr on your behalf.
Their Zakat Funds Projects:
- Financial Assistance to needy families
- Ration Distribution
- Shelters for homeless
- Rozgaar Project (Small Business setup program)
- Medicines and vaccinations
- Educational scholarship
6. Human Appeal Australia :
“Human Appeal Australia” (HAA) aims to strengthen humanity’s fight against poverty and social injustice. HAA believes that establishing stable health care, education and income generation programs, paves the way for empowered, self-serving communities. They also recognize that the provision of food, medical aid and emergency shelter in times of humanitarian crises is essential for the immediate preservation of life.
Their Vision :
A leading international humanitarian development organization, that values human life and dignity, embracing justice and equality in a world free of suffering and poverty.
Their Mission :
-
Immediate Response
They provide immediate aid and effective long-term sustainable development.
-
Empowering Communities
They empower communities to be self-reliant and independent.
-
Alleviate Poverty
They serve people who need it most, relieve their suffering & transform their lives for the better.
ZAKAT?
Zakat is a spiritual obligation for Muslims to be carried out once a year. It is an act of donating a certain amount of your wealth (2.5%) to the poor and needy. The distribution of Zakat has many benefits for the individual and society at large.
HAA accepts Zakat donations and distributes it according to Islamic laws.
7. Islamic Relief Australia
“Islamic Relief Australia”(IRAUS) is a team of Australian volunteers, supporters and staff who together seek to address injustice and empower communities.
IRAUS is a member of the global Islamic Relief family; a leading international charity, whose members are joined together through a spirit of collaboration and through sharing a common vision, mission and identity.
They reflect our Australian context through their focus on local and regional issues in the aid and development space, while drawing upon the wealth of expertise and support of the global Islamic Relief family in the work they do.
Islamic Relief works with communities to strengthen their resilience to calamities, and they provide vital emergency aid when disasters occur.
They tackle the root causes of poverty and make sure that the world’s most vulnerable people have real influence in both their programs and advocacy.
They are proud of Islamic Relief Australia achievement’s in serving the less fortunate in the past 7 years, and they look forward to continue progressing towards fulfilling their mission and delivering on their vision for the future.
Their Vision :
Inspired by their Islamic faith and guided by their values, they envision a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
Their Mission :
Exemplifying their Islamic values, they will mobilize resources, build partnerships and develop local capacity.
ZAKAT :
Zakat is not just a fundamental pillar of Islam – it is also a revolutionary social justice concept with the potential to ease the suffering of millions around the world.
Islamic Relief uses your zakat in the most effective way possible to relieve the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Your Zakat enabled transformative change in the lives of individuals, families and communities who were supported by it in accessing new economic avenues, providing stability and opportunities for years to come.
It’s because of you, your zakat has the power to transform people’s lives, turning them from Zakat recipients into zakat givers. That’s their ultimate goal.
8. The Islamic Society of Darwin
“The Islamic Society of Darwin (ISD)” in Australia is a not-for-profit organization, that provides a range of services to the Darwin Muslim community and to the general Darwin community. The Society currently offers the following services:
- Daily prayers
- Jumu’ah and Eid prayers
- Zakat
- Taraweeh prayers
- Weekend madrasah for children
- Regular Hadith, Fiqh and Tafseer classes
- Regular Islamic classes for sisters
- Community dinners during Ramadhan
- Islamic Awareness Days
- Charitable Food Bazaars
- Islamic Lectures
The Meaning and Purpose of Zakat :
The literal meaning of Zakat is ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’. In the Islamic faith, Zakat means purifying your wealth for the will of Allah SWT; to acknowledge that everything they own belongs to Allah SWT and to work towards the betterment of the Muslim Ummah. According to Islamic regulations, Zakat is 2.5% of one year’s total cumulative wealth. This amount is then distributed to the poor. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has said “Whoever pays the zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him” (Ibn Khuzaimah and at-Tabaraani).
Zakat and Tax :
Some people might think Zakat is a form of tax. It is not. Zakat and tax are two entirely different things. One is a spiritual act and an obligation as a caring human being and the other is a requirement of secular law.
How Society Uses Zakat :
Islamic Society of Darwin Aid uses these funds to help poor communities in Darwin. Zakat funds also go towards emergency relief in case of natural disasters and Tsunamis such as Syrian Emergency Appeal.
9. Muslim Aid Australia
“Muslim Aid Australia (MAA)” is an International relief & development agency, that believes in supporting & assisting the world’s poorest & most needy communities regardless of race, religion or nationality.
Since 1989, MAA has supported projects in over 50 countries around the globe, spanning Africa, Asia & Europe. They have helped millions of people around the world with their quick and responsive emergency assistance as well as their on-going long term projects.
MAA strongly believes in the development of long-term projects for education & training, provision of clean water & healthcare to establish livelihoods & break cycles of poverty.
Their Vision :
Their vision is for MAA International to become not only remarkably successful in alleviating the poverty and suffering of the communities in need, but become an essential organization within the Humanitarian Aid industry; to their beneficiaries, donors and all stakeholders.
Their Mission :
Their mission is for MAA International to make every effort to bring humanity closer together, through supporting and assisting the world’s poorest and needy communities by responding quickly to emergencies, and undertaking sustainable development projects to break cycles of poverty.
MAA International will demonstrate the Australian identity through universal compassion, peace building, dignified living, and active citizenry, both locally and globally.
Zakat (Ramadan) :
Providing the Muslim community with the most effective and accurate means of Zakat.
THE RACE FOR REWARDS STARTS NOW
- 30 DAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
- 30 DAYS TO CHANGE THE LIFE OF OTHERS
- 30 DAYS TO EARN THE MAXIMUM REWARDS
This Ramadan, let’s all strive to do our best for those less fortunate.
Without a doubt, feeding someone and bringing a smile to their face brings an unbelievable feeling, but imagine helping them with a life-changing, income-generating gift?
MAA plans to expand on the work they are already doing by helping families with these Income-Generating Gifts.
That’s why this Ramadan, they’ll not only feed thousands of families around the world, but they’re also implementing long-term sustainable solutions to change people’s lives.
10. United Muslims of Australia
“United Muslims of Australia (UMA)” is a nonprofit community and Islamic Dawah organization that focuses on reviving the Islamic spirit in people’s lives in accordance to the Quran and Sunnah within a balanced framework of Islamic teachings.
UMA CENTRE :
The UMA Centre was established in 2002 as an alternative venue for the Muslim youth to socialise and participate in a variety of educational, recreational and religious activities. It is currently Australia’s largest Islamic Youth Centre that caters for the increasing needs of the growing Islamic community within the country.
The centre offers its members and the wider community a variety of quality services and activities.
Zakat :
There are many major benefits of giving Zakat
- It reminds Muslims of the fact, that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands.
- Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgement of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favour for which he is thankful to Allah.
The UMA Zakat Fund enables the Muslim community with the opportunity to fulfill its religious charity obligations, by providing Muslims with an avenue to give Zakat. The Zakat is in turn distributed to people in need. A great portion is also integrated within their other major Dawah initiatives to sponsor students who are seeking Islamic knowledge abroad (entitling them to receive Zakat). The Zakat Fund is also used to assist new Muslims and sponsoring Du’aat (Callers of Islam) who are in need of financial assistance and fit into the Zakat recipient category.
The UMA Zakat Fund does not take any percentage for administration cost. 100% of all monies received by the UMA Zakat Fund will go directly to the Zakat recipients.
Download our Transparenthands Andriod Application for Online Donation
The Australian needy and vulnerable population was always assisted by regular charitable giving of the Jewish and Christian philanthropists. When we are talking about uplifting the poor and needy from their miserable condition,we cannot ignore the 340,000 Muslim residents living in Australia, who can extend their helping hands to alleviate social issues in this country based on their religious commitment of giving Zakat.
It is a positive sign that Australian Muslims already give their Zakat annually. Australian Muslims either donate their Zakat money to nonprofits which uses this Zakat amount to fund their charitable projects for the welfare of society. Australian Muslims also distribute this money in one’s home town or villages of family origin, to help their communities and often they give it individually to people in need in their localities.
Many Australian Muslims are doubtful about the effectiveness and honesty of voluntary organizations, so even if they are willing to give money to help the poor but their distrust and hesitation don’t allow them to donate their Zakat amount to the deserving organization.
We need to understand that not all organizations are corrupted or involved in wrongdoings. There are organizations that are well committed to bringing positive change in our society and are devoted to uplifting vulnerable lives every day.
At present many nonprofits have evolved into crowdfunding websites, giving donors a fair chance to donate their Zakat money to recipients that they want to support for healthcare, education, accommodation or other personal needs and then receive continuous updates on how their Zakat donation is being used to fulfill the good intention of the donor.
Nonprofits have introduced a revolutionary change in the charitable sector by bringing the community together under one platform, and encouraging them to give charity in order to fix the lives of the most vulnerable and broken people.
Let us put our Islamic learning into practice and donate our Zakat money to deserving organizations for the sake of humanity.
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