Understanding Charitable Giving
Zakah, Sadaqah, Fidya, Fitra
Understanding Charitable Giving
Zakah, Sadaqah, Fidya, Fitra
FAITH Is Trusted To Deliver Zakah Since 1999.
Zakah, or almsgiving, is the obligatory charitable contribution of money, goods or assistance. Zakah is a major tenet of Islam that places charity and assistance to others at the heart of the faith. Muslims around the world give Zakah in various forms like food distribution to the poor, the welfare of orphans and widows, and even the installation of water wells and systems in poverty-stricken areas. FAITH is committed to the ideals of Zakah by providing a range of social services to the Northern Virginia community regardless of race, religion, creed or background.
Sadaqah is a voluntary donation of charity. While Zakah is an obligatory donation, Sadaqah is a charity that takes several forms, including uplifting people with a smile or a helping hand. Prophet Muhammd (Peace Be Upon Him) is reported to have said that “Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left from your bucket into the vessel of your brother.” (Al-Tirmidhi).
Fitrana/Fitrah is a required charity given by Muslims at the end of Ramadan. The Arabic word “fitr” means “nature upon which God created human beings.” In essence, charity and almsgiving are seen as natural tendencies to support and uplift humankind. Fitrah often takes the form of payment or food distribution.
Fidya is a type of charitable contribution specifically given by Muslims who cannot fast in Ramadan. In the Islamic month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from food and water from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. For some, this may cause hardship due to illness, pregnancy, or other reasons. Fidya provides a vehicle to allow one to participate in the spiritual and practical aspects of Ramadan.
“All the great faith traditions require and encourage giving. Giving is the essence of living. It touches everything we do that is truly meaningful. I believe we are all here to make a difference—otherwise what is the purpose of living? As we live and experience the world during our time here, our contributions hopefully leave the world a better place.”
FAITH’s approach of exclusively supporting communities locally reaches poor and indigent population within the United States. Since its establishment, FAITH has progressed from mostly offering immediate help and focus on severing the roots of poverty, utilizing Zakah and Sadaqa donations to develop long-term, sustainable solutions. We serve to empower people to be self-sufficient, to build strong families and to be a force of good in our community.
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RESOURCES
“Five Pillars of Prosperity is an excellent resource for people of all faiths. I strongly believe this book will be life changing for all readers, as it will help them to understand the basics of finance, Islamic finance, and financial responsibility, leading to a more fulfilling and prosperous life spiritually and financially.”
“Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza has given us a unique work. I can think of nothing quite like it, bridging faith, economic principles, and practical wisdom. Five Pillars of Prosperity offers sound guidance from a Muslim perspective on the essentials of faith-based wealth building.”
