ZAKAT
The Power of Zakat
Zakat, or almsgiving, is an obligatory wealth tax on every eligible Muslim and one of the five pillars of Islam. For every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount, also known as the nisab, he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth towards Zakat. When you give your Zakat through H.I.USA, its powerful, impactful, and its potential grows by multiples. Your Zakat can help provide:
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Food aid
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Access to healthcare
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Sustainable livelihood opportunities
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Refugee aid including emergency shelter
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and much, much more — all in accordance with Islamic principles
Zakat is the most-supported fund by H.I. USA donors, alhamdulillah, and that speaks volumes for the power of this kind of charity.
Our Dedication to Distributing Zakat
H.I. USA collects and distributes Zakat to those who are most in need, in accordance with Islamic guidelines. According to the Holy Qur’an (9:60), there are eight categories of people who qualify to be recipients of Zakat:
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The poor
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The needy
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The collectors of Zakat (IRUSA is an example)
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Those whose hearts are to be won over
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Captives
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Those burdened with debt
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In the cause of Allah (SWT)
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Travelers
Most scholars agree that the poor and needy are the most important categories of people to receive Zakat. Given that, it is acceptable to give your entire Zakat allotment to individuals who are in those groups.
While many prefer to give Zakat al-Mal during Ramadan, the option to give is always open. However, when it comes to Zakat al-Fitr, it should be given before Eid prayer.
Scholar-Verified Zakat Policy
With our commitment to collecting and distributing Zakat honestly and ethically, in accordance with Sharia, H.I. USA has enlisted the expertise of some of the leading and most-respected Muslim scholars in the US to form an independent Zakat Advisory Board to review, develop, and uphold Humanity International’s Zakat Policy.
We believe this is paramount to fulfilling our organizational values, such as Ihsan (excellence) and Amana (custodianship).
In 2023, the board ratified H.I.’s Zakat Policy, and will continue to provide independent reviews, oversight, feedback, and verification of the distribution of Zakat. The Zakat Advisory Board scholars, however, are not responsible for the implementation of the H.I. USA Zakat Policy — that is the sole responsibility of H.I. USA.
