The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan.”
(Saheeh Bukhari & Saheeh Muslim)

Zakat

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their qualifying wealth each year to help Muslims who need it across a range of pre-defined categories. Zakat is not an option; it is a compulsory act for all Muslims for those that meet the requirements. This giving is to “cleanse” money and possessions from excessive desire for them or greed. Any Muslim who satisfies the zakat threshold (‘nisab’), is obligated to contribute a portion of their wealth. The nisab threshold is the minimum wealth a Muslim possesses to be eligible to contribute their zakat.

There are eight categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat contributions. These include:

i) The poor, meaning low-income or indigent.
ii) The needy, meaning someone who is in difficulty.
iii) Zakat administrators.
iv) Those whose hearts are to be reconciled, meaning new Muslims and friends of the Muslim community.
v) Those in bondage (slaves and captives).
vi) The debt-ridden.
vii) Those in the cause of God.
viii) The wayfarer, meaning those who are stranded or traveling with few resources.

Our work with New Muslims

Around the North East, we work to provide support to new Muslims. The Board of trustees has adopted the valid Islamic opinion that zakat funds can be used to develop and empower new Muslims which falls under the category three above – ‘bringing their hearts closer to the Deen (Al-Mu’allafah Qulubuhum).

Zakat can be used as an incentive, a means of da’wah and to bring people closer to Islam. The scholars have mentioned the following types of people who were given Zakat to soften their hearts and to draw them closer to Islam and the Muslims:

• Those who were inclined to accepting Islam.
• Those who were enemies of Islam from whom harm was perceived.
• Those who had just embraced Islam.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“The fourth is: “to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)”. These are people who may be given zakaah in order to open their hearts towards Islam, either a non-muslim who we hope will become Muslim, or a Muslim to whom we give in order to strengthen his faith, or an evil man to whom we give zakaah so as to ward off his evil from the Muslims, and other cases in which it is in the Muslims’ interests to attract their hearts.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen (18/331-332)

IDC believes in engaging and building links with Muslim communities in the North East. We understand the principles and specific requirements of Zakat, and our goal is to provide Muslims with another route through which they can fulfil their Zakat obligations. IDC will spend these payments in line with our policy and the specific requirements of Zakat.

We are also open to receiving Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or other forms of Muslim charitable giving as part of our ongoing activities.

The Board of Trustees take the responsibility of handling Zakat extremely seriously. By making a Zakat payment to IDC, the giver can be sure the payment will help new Muslims in the North East, with 100% of donations spent directly for that purpose.

We spend all Zakat payments in line with the procedures detailed below.
• Payments are collected into a specific, restricted fund within IDC and payments are directed to clearly identified projects.
• Channels of collecting and spending Zakat are clear and all the payer clarity and transparency over their Zakat payment and where / on whom it will be spent.
• Zakah payments will not be spent on general administrative costs but will be spent on new Muslim projects and support. 100% of Zakat payments are spent entirely on new Muslim projects.
• Funds are used to support tangible goods and practical support, as well as more intangible benefits such as education, training and health promotion.
• Zakat donations collected are spent within the lunar year requirement. The frequency of collection can be split through the year according to the wishes of the payer. IDC is able to collect Zakat all year round.
• Gift Aid can also be claimed on Zakat payments and if the Zakat payer is eligible and willing to complete a Gift Aid declaration, IDC reclaims this. This element will be treated as a general donation and allocated by IDC to our work according to greatest need.

How to Donate your Zakah

One can donate their zakah to Islamic Diversity Centre by visiting our website – https://www.islamicdiversity.org/donate-today/

When donating please select ‘Is this a zakah donation?’. This will ensure your funds are only spent on zakatable work.