Zakat

The Human Foundation shoulders the trust of philanthropists who want to make their lives a little easier by delivering zakat donations to our brothers and sisters who are thousands of kilometers away. You can also donate through our website to deliver your zakat donations to those in need around the world.

When is Zakat Given?

A Muslim who owns a certain amount of property, (80 grams of gold or goods and money worth this amount), is considered rich in terms of zakat in Islam. He is then supposed to give zakat in order to fulfill his obligatory worship, and to gain the wide mercy of Allah and the closeness of our Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him.

So, when is zakat given? Zakat becomes obligatory when a person owns property that increases the nisab amount more than his/her debts and natural needs and one year has passed since this property has passed. Since this will vary from person to person, everyone has a certain day to give zakat. However, in Türkiye, people prefer to give zakat in Ramadan in order to experience the prosperity and abundance of the month when charity and worship are intense. Since there is no specific time to give zakat, it can be given at any time or during Ramadan.

When is Zakat Given in Ramadan?

Ramadan, the month of mercy, is a month in which giving Zakat has become a tradition for Muslims. Muslims who are in a good financial situation may want to comply with the verse of Allah (swt) that encourages them to compete in doing good deeds (Al-Imran, 3:133), and care more for the poor and give their zakat. A person who thinks so can also give his zakat in Ramadan, even if he has reached the nisab amount but has not completed one year in the month of Ramadan. There is no specific time to give zakat, nor is there a specific day within the month of Ramadan. Giving zakat before Ramadan and in the first days of Ramadan fulfills the purpose of zakat to be beneficial to the poor. Therefore, it is wiser and more beneficial not to leave zakat until the end of Ramadan.

Can Zakat Be Given on Eid al-Adha?

Zakat can also be given on Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice). However, the intention here is revealed when the zakat debt is paid. Zakat given on Eid-al-Adha does not replace the sacrifice. Zakat is a separate obligatory worship, and sacrifice is another separate worship. While zakat cannot be given for the construction and needs of mosques, schools and dormitories, it can be given to students studying for the sake of Allah and poor people.