Zakah, sadaqatul-fitr and barakatjies. These are some of the many words which are thrown around, especially during the month of Ramadan. What exactly do they mean?

Zakah

Zakah is one of the pillars of Islam and is a charity that can only be given to specified groups of individuals. It is paid once a year on specific assets such as gold, cash and business assets. It is obligatory on a Muslim if they meet the criteria for paying zakah. One of these criteria is that a Muslim must reach the threshold (nisab) of zakah before it becomes obligatory on him.      

Sadaqa

Sadqah is a general word used to refer to charity. In common usage, Sadaqa is understood as a voluntary act of charity given for the sake of Allah. Sadaqa is not confined to monetary donations, every good can be an act of charity. The Beloved ﷺ taught us

"Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you." (Tirmidhi).

If we give charity and the recipients benefit after we pass on, we will be rewarded for it despite being in our graves. This is referred to as Sadaqa jariya, or continuous charity. The Beloved ﷺ taught us that

"When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him." (Muslim).

Sadaqat al fitr

Sadaq tul fitr serves as a purification for the fasting person for any vain speech or indecent behavior. It should be given before Eid salah and the head of the household is responsible for those whom he maintains. It is also referred to as zakat al fitr or fitra.

Fidya

Fidya is a charitable donation of a specified amount given by an individual who is unable to fast during the month of Ramadan and is also unable to make up the days thereafter.

Barakatjie

It is a colloquial word used for the tradition of gifting neighbors, family and colleagues with plates of eatables.

Allah Knows Best

You can check our Charities List for some organizations to donate towards