Zakat and Sadaqah: What is the Difference?
Introduction
It was the month of Ramadan. It was evening. I was sitting outside the mosque. People were returning after praying. Some were giving food to the poor. One man quietly put some money in a box and left. Another person came with flour and rice to help the poor families.
I was watching all this. Then I started thinking how good it is to help others in Islam. Many people give Zakat. Many people also give Sadaqah. But many people do not know what the difference is between Zakat and Sadaqah.
Some people think that both are the same thing. But it is not so. Both are different.
Islam teaches us that we should help the poor. We should treat others well. When we help someone, Allah is pleased.
Zakat is also help and Sadaqah is also help. But the method of both is different.
In this blog, we will understand in very simple words what is Zakat, what is Sadaqah, and what is the difference between the two.
What is Zakat?
Zakat is a very important part of Islam. Every Muslim who has a lot of money has to pay Zakat.
Giving Zakat is obligatory.
Fard means that it is necessary to do this work.
If a Muslim is rich and has enough money, then he has to give some of his wealth to the poor.
Giving Zakat helps the poor.
Giving Zakat also purifies a person’s wealth.
Islam states that a person should give a small part of his accumulated wealth to the poor.
Most people give two and a half percent of their wealth as Zakat.
If someone has very little money, then Zakat is not obligatory on him.
Why is Zakat important?
Zakat is necessary to help the poor.
There are many people in the world who do not have food.
Some people do not have clothes to wear.
Some children do not have money to go to school.
Some people are sick but do not have money for treatment.
When rich people give Zakat, the poor are helped.
I heard about a man who had a small shop. His business had gone very bad. He was very worried. Then someone gave him Zakat. He started his work again with this money. Gradually his life improved.
Then I felt that Zakat can really change someone’s life.
To whom is Zakat given?
Zakat is not given to everyone.
Zakat is given to those who are really poor and needy.
Such as:
- Very poor people
- Families who do not have money to eat
- People in debt
- Travelers who get into trouble
- Orphans
- People in great need
Zakat should always be given in a good way.
No poor person should be embarrassed.
What is charity?
Charity is also to help others.
But charity is not obligatory.
Any person can give charity whenever he wants.
Charity does not only mean giving money.
Every good deed is also charity.
If you give someone water to drink, it is also charity.
If you give food to a poor child, it is also charity.
If you speak kindly to a suffering person, it is also charity.
If you remove a stone from the path so that no one gets hurt, it is also charity.
Charity is a very beautiful act
One day I saw a small child.
He was standing outside the mosque.
He had a box of shoes in his hand.
He silently left those shoes with a poor child and left.
He didn’t tell anyone anything.
He just wanted to help.
I liked that very much.
Then I felt that the real charity is the one that is done from the heart.
Who can give charity?
Every person can give charity.
Even if someone doesn’t have much money, he can still give charity.
A smile is also charity.
Helping someone is also charity.
Saying a good word is also charity.
That’s why every person can give charity.
Some examples of charity
- Feeding the poor
- Giving clothes to someone
- Helping a sick person
- Helping orphans
- Providing water in the mosque
- Feeding animals
- Helping an old person
- Speaking kind words
All these are charity.
Difference between Zakat and Charity
Now we understand in simple words what is the difference between the two.
First difference
Zakat is obligatory.
Charity is not obligatory.
Second difference
There is a certain amount of Zakat.
Charity can be given as much as you want.
Third difference
Zakat is given only to special poor people.
Charity can be given to almost every needy person.
Fourth difference
Zakat is given once a year.
Charity can be given every day.
The fifth difference
Zakat purifies wealth.
Charity increases love and goodness.
Is it good to give both?
Yes.
Many Muslims give both Zakat and charity.
Zakat is obligatory.
Charity is done from the heart.
Both are very good deeds.
Zakat and Charity in Ramadan
People do more good deeds during Ramadan.
Many people give Zakat during Ramadan.
Many people feed the poor.
Some people help others break their fast.
All of these are very good deeds.
Also Read: Online Quran Tafseer Course. Discover the True Meaning of the Quran
Benefits of Giving Zakat
By giving Zakat:
- It helps the poor
- It softens the heart of a person
- It purifies wealth
- It pleases Allah
- It increases love in society
Benefits of Giving Sadaqah
By giving Sadaqah:
- It calms the heart
- It helps others
- It increases love
- It makes a person happy
- It makes Allah happy
Many people say that when they help someone, it feels very good.
A short story
Once a poor child was going to school.
His shoes were torn.
A man saw this.
The next day the man bought new shoes for the child.
The child’s happiness was amazing.
He was smiling again and again.
A small help made the child very happy.
Why should we help others?
Because this is what Islam teaches us.
If we help others, the world will become better.
Poor people will be happy.
Hungry people will get food.
Sick people will get help.
Children should also be taught
Children should be taught to help others from a young age.
If children learn to help others, they will grow up to be good people.
I once saw a father.
He gave his daughter a few coins.
Then he said, “Put this for the poor.”
The girl was very happy.
She went and put those coins herself.
It was a very cute scene.
Misconceptions
Some people think that only rich people can help.
This is wrong.
Every person can help.
Some people think that Zakat and Sadaqah are the same thing.
This is also wrong.
Both are different.
Who is better?
Zakat is also good.
Sadaqah is also good.
Zakat is important because it is obligatory.
Sadaqah is good because it is done out of love.
FAQs
Is Zakat the same as Sadaqah?
No, Zakat and Sadaqah are not the same. Zakat is compulsory for eligible Muslims, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity given anytime.
What are the five types of Sadaqah?
- Giving money to the poor
- Feeding hungry people
- Helping sick or needy people
- Speaking kindly to others
- Giving water or food to animals
Can Sadaqah count as Zakat?
No, normal Sadaqah does not count as Zakat. Zakat must be given separately with the proper intention.
How to calculate Zakat and Sadaqah?
Zakat is usually 2.5% of saved wealth if it reaches the Nisab amount. Sadaqah has no fixed amount and can be given in any amount anytime.
If you wish to learn the Quran online or enroll in one of our Quran courses, click below and start your learning journey today.
Explore Our Courses →
