Charitable giving is a key part of Islamic faith and culture. With so many different forms of charity in Islam, this article provides a better understanding of each one. We also share more about its importance and how your Islamic organization can encourage giving.
Did you know that 87% of Muslims planned to give to charity during Ramadan in 2022 alone? Charity is a way for Muslims to express kindness, seek forgiveness from Allah, and purify their souls.
There are many different types of charity in Islam. In this article, we share more information about each one, why they matter, and how they are given. Let’s dive in.
Charity – also referred to as sadaqah – is a cornerstone of the Islamic faith. Charity comes in both voluntary and involuntary forms, but ultimately offers a wealth of benefits and is important for every Muslim.
There are various ahadith (sayings by the Prophet Muhammad) that highlight the importance of charitable giving. Muslims believe that one’s wealth is a gift from Allah and it should be shared generously with the less fortunate.
Wondering why charity is so important in Islam? Acts of compassion and kindness are greatly rewarded by Allah.
Here are some of the benefits of giving charity in Islam:
There are many different forms of charity that Muslims can give. Some are obligatory, while others are voluntary. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable types.
Sadaqah is the general term used for giving charity in Islam. This form of charity encompasses all the good deeds a Muslim can do for the ummah, while growing closer to Allah in the process.
Therefore, sadaqah can be given in the following ways:
Bonus resource: Check out our blog post to learn everything there is to know about sadaqah.
This form of almsgiving is compulsory for all qualifying Muslims and is one of the five pillars of Islam. As a Muslim, you must give away 2.5% of your excess in the form of zakat if your wealth exceeds the nisab threshold within one lunar year.
Zakat differs from zakat al-fitr, a special type of zakat given during the Ramadan season.
Islamic charities can make it easy for donors to calculate the value of their zakat by including a zakat calculator on their website or donation form.
See how this organization included it on their zakat donation page:
Translated to “ongoing charity,” sadaqah jariyah is a charitable act that continues to benefit others and earn rewards for the giver even after he or she dies. This form of continuous charity in Islam provides ongoing rewards.
Examples of sadaqah jariyah include:
Kaffarah refers to an atonement for specific sins, including intentionally breaking a fast during Ramadan or breaking an oath.
It is given in different forms depending on the sin committed. For example, if a Muslim breaks their fast during Ramadan, they must fast for 60 consecutive days. If they are unable to do so, they must feed 60 needy people by providing food or donating money to an Islamic organization.
As a voluntary form of charity in Islam, hibah is a gift of property or assets while the donor is still alive, and is donated without the expectation of anything in return.
An example of hibah is when a donor gives money or property to a charity. The organization does not have to be an Islamic organization.
In Islam, lillah is a form of charity given to please Allah. In Arabic, lillah translates to “for Allah.”
Lillah can be given to individuals or groups of people, like families. It can also be donated to a Muslim charity or masjid. The reward for this form of charity is purification and growing closer to Allah.
This is one of the most sincere forms of sadaqah, and there is no set amount or limit on how much lillah to give.
This is a charitable donation made to atone for missed fasts during Ramadan. Unlike kaffarah, fidya is a form of charity due to missing a fast for a valid reason, such as pregnancy, old age, or illness.
The compensation for fidya is equivalent to feeding one person for every day a fast was missed.
Qurbani translates to “sacrifice” and refers to the slaughtering of a livestock animal during Eid Al-Adha, which follows Dhul Hijjah. The qurbani meat is split equally into three portions between family, friends, and the less fortunate. Qurbani is obligatory for all those who can give it.
This type of charity can also be given in the form of money and donated to a trustworthy Islamic organization that will distribute qurbani amongst the poor.
There are various months in the Islamic lunar calendar (called the Hijri calendar) that come with increased generosity. Charity is also prominent in times of hardship, abundance, and particular life events.
Here’s when charitable giving is most common for the ummah.
The Holy Month of Ramadan remains the peak season for charitable donations in Islam. Since this sacred month comes with greater mercy and forgiveness from Allah, the ummah gives more to receive multiplied blessings and spiritual rewards.
Eid Al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, is also a significant day for charitable giving following the conclusion of Ramadan.
Dhul Hijjah – the month of the Hajj pilgrimage – is one of the four holy months in the Hijri calendar.
Increased charity during the first 10 days – which are the holiest and most virtuous days of the month – comes with multiplied rewards, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah. The period is also referred to as the 10 days of Arafah.
On the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. On this day, the act of qurbani takes place. As we explained earlier, the meat of a livestock animal is split and a portion is donated to the poor so they can join the ummah in the festivities and blessings.
Muslims can also give their donation to the poor by donating money to an Islamic charity.
Giving back to the underprivileged during the Islamic New Year (called Muharram) is the ideal way to set the right tone for the year ahead. Starting the new year with charity is a way to become closer to Allah and be kind to others.
Giving sadaqah during difficult times shows deep faith that Allah will continue to provide. Similarly, donating to the less fortunate during times of increased wealth, health, or success enables a magnitude of blessings.
Specific life events encourage giving charity in Islam. These include:
When the ummah seeks ways to give, your Islamic charity or masjid can make the process easy. Here are some ways to amplify giving in peak times of the year and beyond.
Use an intuitive fundraising platform to create a donation form that you can embed on your organization’s website or host for free on the respective platform.
Include different giving intervals, along with a custom amount option in case your donor is feeling extra generous during sacred times of year. And empower the ummah to indicate where their gifts should be allocated using donation designations – like sadaqah, zakat, and sadaqah jariyah.
You can also create a dedicated campaign for a specific time of charitable giving, such as a qurbani for Eid Al-Adha.
See how this organization did it using a Donorbox donation form:
Create a Donation Form on Donorbox
Most people don’t carry cash on hand anymore, which is why it’s important to provide the ummah with a cashless donation alternative so they can give faithfully. Set up an in-person giving kiosk that enables the ummah to give cashless donations during Friday prayers, fundraising events, and more.
Accept donations via credit/debit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches using Donorbox Live™ Kiosk. Simply download the app to your tablet and pair it with a card reader to streamline giving during peak times of the year and beyond. Or, download the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app on your Android smartphone to use our Tap to Pay feature – no card reader required (coming soon to iOS).
Check out this short video to learn how the Islamic Center of Passaic County raised more than $40,000 using Donorbox Live Kiosk:
Learn more about Donorbox Live™ Kiosk in this blog post.
Fundraising events during sacred months are a popular way to streamline charitable giving in Islam. Events are a way to build community, share Islamic teachings, and more.
For example, you could host a community iftar during Ramadan and collect cashless donations throughout your event using a donation kiosk.
Fundraising galas and summits are the ideal platform to attract major donors who want to learn more about and donate to your Islamic organization. Invite notable members of the ummah to give a speech or be an MC, like an Imam, scholar, celebrity, or even a prominent social media influencer.
Be sure to plan ahead – at least 12 months out – so you have enough time to invite noteworthy guests, send out invitations, and secure your venue, vendors, and catering.
Use a powerful event ticketing tool to promote and sell tickets to your event online. This simplifies the process for you and the ummah, while ensuring attendees have access to all the relevant information they need in advance.
See how this Islamic organization used Donorbox Events to promote its Annual Power Summit. Their event form includes multiple ticket tiers, ticket pricing and quantity options, and tax-deductible values:
Promote Your Event with Donorbox
Fast-a-thons are a creative way to encourage faithful restraint and gather the community during the Ramadan season.
Invite the ummah – along with non-Muslims – to fast with you for the day. Then, break your fast together as a community at the end by providing a banquet feast during which guests can also donate.
Ask volunteers to hand out pamphlets providing information about your organization while collecting donations on the go using their Android smartphones.
Or set up an autonomous giving kiosk at the entry and exit points of your venue so guests can give when they feel most inclined to.
Check out the Muslim Student Association’s Donorbox-hosted event form promoting their fast-a-thon during Ramadan:
Here are some interesting facts you may or may not know about Islamic charitable giving:
Charity is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic faith. The Quran emphasizes the importance of sadaqah and giving in the name of Allah to receive multiplied blessings and spiritual rewards.
Donorbox makes it easy for Islamic organizations to simplify charitable giving in the ummah. More than 100,000 organizations – including Muslim charities – have trusted us to help them raise a collective $3 billion and counting.
Explore all our features that help you elevate your impact so you can continue serving the ummah faithfully.
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Jamy-Lee Holt