Zakat and sadaqah are not the same
Zakat and sadaqah are often confused among Muslims. Both are acts of good, but in Islamic jurisprudence they are two distinct acts of worship with different rulings.
Key differences
1. Ruling
- Zakat — obligatory (fard); omitting it is sinful
- Sadaqah — voluntary (nafl); omitting it is not sinful
2. Amount
- Zakat — fixed at 2.5% (for gold, silver and money)
- Sadaqah — free, depending on one's means
3. Nisab
- Zakat — only obligatory on owners of wealth above the nisab
- Sadaqah — anyone can give within their means
4. Time
- Zakat — once a Hijri year has passed over the wealth
- Sadaqah — can be given at any time
5. Recipients
- Zakat — restricted to the 8 categories in At-Tawbah 60
- Sadaqah — can be given to a broader spectrum
In the Qur'an and Hadith
«The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allāh and His Messenger. Those - Allāh will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.»
(Qur'an, Surah At-Tawbah, verse 71)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about sadaqah:
"Guard yourself from the Hellfire, even with half a date."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 1417; Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 1016)
Common ground
Both acts serve the same purpose: ensuring economic justice in society and supporting those in need. Zakat is the minimum; sadaqah is the surplus above it.
Contact
- +994 51 763 90 15 (for men)
- +994 70 966 19 70 (for women)
Al Baraka Azerbaijan volunteers
