Zakat, as one of the core pillars of Islam, is an act of worship through which a person shares a portion of the sustenance given by Allah with brothers and sisters in need. While it enables a person to fulfill their gratitude to Allah, zakat also keeps alive the spirit of unity and solidarity within the ummah.
Through the zakat efforts we carry out at Mavi Marmara Association, we build a bridge between donors and those in need, contributing to keeping the sense of brotherhood alive.
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Those in Need?
Zakat donations are primarily aimed at reaching orphans, those in need, and victims of war in conflict and war-affected regions. In addition, your donations reach families struggling to pay off debts, unable to meet their basic food and clothing needs, and in need of shelter support.
We deliver the zakat entrusted to us, along with your greetings, to those in need, building a bridge between you and them. Your zakat becomes a source of hope and happiness especially for people living under the harsh conditions of war.
One of the fundamental conditions of zakat is that it must be given to those in need. By donating your zakat through Mavi Marmara Association, you can help ensure your support truly reaches people who genuinely need it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is obligated to pay zakat?
For a person to be obligated to pay zakat, they must be Muslim, free, of sound mind, and have reached puberty; and must possess wealth that exceeds their debts and basic needs, is genuinely or effectively productive (i.e., income-generating in nature), reaches the nisab threshold, and has been held for a full lunar year.
What does nisab mean? What is the amount?
Nisab is a wealth threshold set for acts of worship such as zakat, sadaka al-fitr, and qurbani (sacrifice). It can also be defined as the minimum measure of wealth. A person who owns this much wealth, beyond their debts and basic needs, is considered religiously wealthy. Such a person cannot receive zakat or charity, and is instead obligated to give sadaka al-fitr and offer a sacrifice. If this wealth—beyond debts and basic needs—is of a productive nature and a full year has passed, its zakat must be given. The minimum threshold of wealth, "nisab," was determined by the Prophet (peace be upon him). These minimum limits reflect the average standard of living and measure of wealth in the Islamic society of that period. The nisab amounts specified in the hadiths can be listed as follows: 80.18 grams of gold or its equivalent in money or trade goods; 40 sheep or goats, 30 cattle, 5 camels. It is clear that these assets, used to determine the nisab, were the most common forms of wealth of that era. Basing the nisab on these assets has been preserved in later periods as well, since social and economic conditions did not change significantly.
Can zakat and fitr be given to charitable organizations?
There is no religious objection to giving zakat and fitr to associations, institutions, and relief funds that are known to pool the zakat and fitr they receive and spend it solely on the categories specified in verse 60 of Surah At-Tawbah, and that are managed by individuals who are trusted in every respect.
Is there a specific time to give zakat?
There is no specific time set for giving zakat; it should be given as soon as it becomes obligatory. There is no need to wait for a particular month or for Ramadan. Those who are obligated to pay zakat should do so as soon as possible once the obligation arises.
Who can zakat and fitr be given to?
Who zakat and fitr can be given to is specified in the Qur'an (Surah At-Tawbah, 60). These are: the poor, the needy, those in bondage seeking freedom, those in debt, those striving in the cause of Allah (those fighting to protect sacred values, and those seeking knowledge), travelers stranded far from home, officials appointed to collect zakat, and those referred to as "al-mu'allafah qulubuhum," people whose hearts are being reconciled to Islam.
Can zakat be given before it is due?
As with fasting and Hajj, the lunar calendar is used for zakat as well. For zakat to become obligatory, a full lunar year must pass over wealth that reaches the nisab. Nevertheless, the owner of the wealth may, if they wish, give the zakat on wealth that has reached the nisab even before the due date arrives.
Is money saved for basic needs included in zakat?
Basic needs are things necessary for a safe and healthy continuation of life, such as housing, household goods, clothing, a means of transportation, and food. If a verbal or written commitment has been made to use money saved for these needs to meet them, then zakat does not need to be paid on that money—because once a verbal or written commitment is made, that money is considered as already spent for a basic need. However, if no such commitment has been made and the money reaches the nisab threshold and a full year has passed over it, its zakat must be given.