Charity lies at the heart of Islamic teaching. While Muslims are required to pay Zakat, they are also encouraged to give Sadaqah regularly. By giving Zakat and Sadaqah, they contribute to the welfare of others while ensuring that they please Allah (S`WT).

Ramadan is widely regarded as the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast during Ramadan and engage in worship with complete devotion. Since charity is considered a practical form of worship in Islam, many Muslims increase their charitable giving during Ramadan. While giving charity throughout the month of Ramadan is appreciable, the last Ashra of Ramadan is particularly important because of the occurrence of Laylatul Qadr, the night when the Qur’an was revealed.

Any act of worship, including charity, performed with sincere devotion, is considered more rewarding than repeating that same act for a thousand months. That’s why the last ten days of Ramadan are the ideal time to increase your charitable giving.

Giving Zakat During Ramadan

As the overall charitable effort peaks during the last Ashra of Ramadan, many Muslims also pay their Zakat during this time. Zakat is an obligatory charity that every eligible Muslim must give. It is the third pillar of Islam and one of the most important duties Muslims must not overlook. The Qur’an clearly states that giving Zakat is obligatory:

“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].”(Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:43)

The following Hadith establishes Zakat as one of the most important pillars of Islam:

“Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: 

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca).
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8)

 Muslims who possess wealth equal to or greater than the Nisab value are eligible to pay Zakat. The nisab threshold is equal to 612.36 grams of silver. Muslims with money equal to or greater than 612.36 grams of silver qualify for Zakat. It is an annual obligation that continues until one is no longer eligible. The Zakat rate is 2.5% of qualified wealth. The amount must be paid within the lunar Islamic year and cannot be deferred for the last Ashra of Ramadan. However, if you wish to Pay Zakat during the last Ashra of Ramadan, you may pay the advance Zakat for the upcoming period. In this way, you can adjust your Zakat giving schedule to align with Ramadan. However, one must remember that Zakat is meant to help people, and their needs may peak at any time of the year. Therefore, the focus should be on assisting the most deserving individuals, especially during difficult times.

What Is Fitrana, and When To Donate It?

Zakat al-Fitr, or Fitrana, is an obligatory charity for all eligible Muslims and must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayers begin. Just as Zakat purifies wealth, Fitrana purifies our Ramadan worship.

“Ibn ’Abbas (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer and it is Sadaqah (i.e. voluntary charity) for the person who pays it after the Eid prayer.’ Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih.” (Bulugh al-Maram)

It is also a wonderful way to express gratitude to Allah (SWT) for granting believers the faith, strength, and determination to fast. The principles for Zakat al-Fitr are driven from the following Hadith:

“Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) enjoined the payment of one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the `Id prayer.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1503)

One Sa’ is commonly estimated at approximately 2.5 to 3 kilograms, though slight variations may exist. Always choose the higher end quantity, as Allah (SWT) always favors those who are willing to spend in His way with generosity. You can set a different food quantity as the threshold, and it is advisable to choose the highest one you can afford. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur’an:

 “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (Surat ‘Āli `Imrān, 3: 92)

To make a choice, you can use the following table as a reference:

Commodity	Quantity	Fitrana Donation (Approximate local equivalents)
Wheat	Almost 2.5 Kgs	PKR 300
Barley	Almost 4 kgs	PKR 1100
Dried Date (Chawara)	Almost 4 kgs	PKR 3200
Raisins	Almost 4 kgs	PKR 6000
Date (Ajwa)	Almost 4 kgs	PKR 16000

It is recommended to make your Fitrana donations well before the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr prayers, ideally during the last days of Ramadan.

Giving Sadaqah During Ramadan

Sadaqah is a voluntary charity in Islam that promises great spiritual rewards. Giving Sadaqah isn’t just a one-time act. It is a way of life that includes both monetary and nonmonetary deeds. The Qur’an states:

“Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.” (Surat Al-Ĥadīd, 57: 18)

Therefore, people who donate Sadaqah regularly invest in their afterlife and make significant contributions to the well-being of deserving individuals and families.

The following Hadith tells us how Sadaqah will benefit believers in the afterlife:

“Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. They are: (1) a just ruler; (2) a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, (i.e. worship Allah (Alone) sincerely from his childhood), (3) a man whose heart is attached to the mosque (who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque); (4) two persons who love each other only for Allah’s sake and they meet and part in Allah’s cause only; (5) a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for an illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah; (6) a person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity). (7) a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes get flooded with tears.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1423)

The Recommended Ethics for Giving Charity

Whether you are making Sadaqah donations, Zakat, Fitrana, or any other Islamic donation, always try to maintain the etiquette of giving in Islam. 

Allah (SWT) also recommends that we give our Zakat or Sadaqah charity anonymously:

“If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and it will remove from you some of your misdeeds.” — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:271)

We must acknowledge that our wealth, possessions, and blessings are from Allah (SWT) and must be spent according to His consent. When giving charity, the purpose should be purely to please Allah (SWT) and not for personal gain. Aggrandization must never be our objective. By giving anonymously, we also preserve the dignity of the people who receive our assistance. 

According to another Hadith, Allah (SWT) will give protection with His shade on the Day of Judgement to those who follow these etiquettes of giving charity.

Advantages of Making Online Charity Donations

The following are some of the advantages of giving online charity:

• You can choose to remain anonymous while helping someone in need.
• You can assist communities far from you that desperately need your help.
• Online giving is quick, convenient, and secure. You can donate within minutes, anytime, anywhere, without the hassle of paperwork or physical visits.
• Online charity enables immediate money transfers, which are especially valuable during disasters and urgent medical appeals.
• You can automate your charity giving and manage scheduled contributions, especially during the last Ashra of Ramadan.
• You get automatic receipts that make your bookkeeping and tax documentation much easier. The documentation can be used to claim tax exemptions if available in your country.

FAQs

Is it better to give Sadaqah daily in Ramadan?

Yes, especially during the last Ashra (ten days) of Ramadan, during which Laylatul Qadr may occur.

Can I automate my Ramadan donations?

Yes, it is a good idea to do so.

Can Zakat be given to relatives?

Yes, Zakat may be given to eligible relatives. However, you cannot give Zakat to those you are already financially responsible for.

What happens if someone delays paying Zakat or Fitrana?

Delaying Zakat payment is a sin that must be avoided. Fitrana must also not be delayed and should be given before the start of Eid al-Fitr prayers.

Can I give charity on behalf of someone else?

Yes, you can give charity on someone’s behalf.

Are there special rewards for giving in the last ten nights of Ramadan?

If you give Sadaqah on the occasion of Laylatul Qadr, you will get the spiritual reward of giving the same amount of Sadaqah for a thousand months.

Make Your Zakat, Fitrana, and Sadaqah Donations to Transparent Hands

There are many worthy causes you can support with a donation. However, supporting healthcare can enable, empower, and uplift the entire community.

Healthcare is a pressing issue in Pakistan. Millions of Pakistanis lack access to healthcare, leaving them completely vulnerable to various medical conditions.

Transparent Hands has been serving underprivileged Pakistanis since 2014. We have an excellent maternal and child healthcare system, which has helped thousands of young women and children. We also support a wide range of free surgeries and arrange regular medical camps in low-income areas. Our medical camps provide free medical checkups, medications, and diagnostic services. 

You can always assess the impact of our work via our online forums. We provide complete information about the patients we support so that our donors are aware of the impact of their contributions. 

Transparent Hands is a Shariah-compliant organization. Our operations and donations are conducted under the supervision of a highly qualified and experienced Islamic scholar. Hence, you can donate Zakat, Sadaqah, Fitrana, and other donations to us with confidence. 

Donate to us now! Let’s bring positive change to lives, together.

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