OPEN YOUR HEART, BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR ZAKAT
More Than 70% Of Patients Are Zakat Eligible At Indus Hospital & Health Network
“And Establish Prayer And Give Zakat, And Whatever Good You Put Forward For Yourselves – You Will Find It With Allah.” (2:110)
In these challenging times, Indus Hospital & Health Network is fighting on two fronts – the COVID-19 crisis and emergency healthcare services. With the growing volume of patients, our need for funds has tremendously increased.
Help us continue to provide absolutely free and quality healthcare services to all – Open you heart and be generous with donations and Zakat.
Based on the policy and guidelines provided by IHHN’s Shariah Supervisory Committee and Zakat Committee, Zakat fund is solely used for the treatment of eligible patients – the Mustehqin. The disbursement of the fund is through a transparent process where the patient allows the Hospital to use Zakat for his/her treatment. To ensure our donors have transparency over the utilization of their Zakat, audited accounts are publically available.
At the time of each patient’s admission, our welfare officers collect relevant financial information to determine Zakat eligibility as per Islamic guidelines. Once the patient is identified as Zakat eligible, all their expenses are paid from the Zakat fund. It is pertinent to mention that more than 70% of our patients are Zakat eligible.
What is Zakat?
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is the specific amount of wealth that a mature Muslim, who is Sahib-e-Nisaab, gives to the poor with the intention of Zakat, upon the completion of the Zakat year.
“And those in whose riches there is a specified right. For the one who asks and the one who is deprived.” (Qur’an 70:24-25)
What is Nisab?
The meaning of Nisab is a specific amount of four types of wealth, which if owned by a mature Muslim, Zakat will be compulsory upon. The four types of wealth are:
Gold (7.5 Tolas, 87.48 Grams)
Silver (52.5 Tolas, 312.36 Grams)
Business wealth (value of which equals 52.5 Tolas Silver)
Currency/Cash (value of which equals 52.5 Tolas Silver)
Zakat: A sacred pillar
Zakat is not just a fundamental pillar of Islam. It is also a revolutionary concept with the potential to ease the suffering of millions around the world.
As Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Qur’an:
“And be steadfast in Salah (prayer), and give Zakah. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Certainly, Allah is watchful of what you do.” (Qur’an 2:110)
It is also a right that the poor have over us.
“And those in whose riches there is a specified right. For the one who asks and the one who is deprived.” (Qur’an 70:24-25)
How much is Zakat?
Zakat is 2.5% of your savings.
Who is eligible to receive Zakat?
If someone is a Muslim, non-Sayyid, and they do not possess 52.5 Tolas silver, or its value in gold, currency, business wealth, or wealth surplus to their needs, they are eligible to receive Zakat.
There are eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat:
- The poor
- Needy
- Administrators of Zakat
- Those whose hearts have been recently reconciled
- Those who have been enslaved
- Those in debt
- In the cause of God
- Travelers (including refugees)
As Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Qur’an: The Sadaqat (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, ¹⁹in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.
Does the non-Muslim have to pay Zakat?
No, Zakat is only obligatory upon Muslims.
What is Hawl?
‘Hawl’ refers to a lunar year. E.g. When a person achieves the Nisab for the first time, then from this date till the same date in the next lunar year his ‘Hawl’ is complete.
If one has not yet owned his/her wealth for one lunar year, can s/he still pay Zakat?
For Zakat to be due, it is a condition for one lunar year to have passed. If one lunar year hasn’t passed on someone’s wealth, then Zakat is not due.
I received a large amount of money just before my Zakat was due for this year. Do I include it in this year’s Zakat?
Yes, Zakat will be due at the time of Zakat due date for this amount. Even though a year hasn’t passed on having the amount. This is known as ‘Maal-e-Mustafaad’ in Shariah terms, as in wealth received midway through a year.
My wealth dipped below the Nisab during the course of the year, do I still have to pay Zakat?
The midway of a year is not taken into consideration, but the zakat due date is considered. For example, you Zakat due date is the first of Ramadhan, and before the first of Ramadhan, your wealth decreased to below the Nisab, but on the coming of the first of Ramadhan, your wealth met the Nisab criteria, then Zakat will be due. The drop earlier in the year beneath the Nisab criteria will not be considered
I owe several years of Zakat, how do I pay?
For every year that you owe Zakat, take 2.5% from the total wealth you had at the end of that year and pay that in Zakat. If you are not sure how much wealth you had, you must estimate it to the best of your ability. For example, it is now Ramadan 2022. You have not paid Zakat for the last 5 years. You need to work out how much wealth you owned every Ramadan for the last five years and pay 2.5% of that.
I have mixed jewellery consisting of gold, silver and precious stones. How do I calculate the value on which Zakat must be paid?
The best way for you to do this would be to take the jewellery to a jeweller and ask them to value just the gold and silver parts of the jewellery. The valuations they give will be the total on which you have to pay Zakat. Precious stones are not liable for Zakat.
I have a pension fund or 401K or another retirement savings account, do I pay Zakat on the savings in this fund?
If you haven’t received the funds, then zakat isn’t due. But if you have received the funds, Zakat is due.
What kind of projects do Zakat funds support?
Zakat can only be given in those projects wherein possession is achieved of the Zakat amount. This means the person who can claim Zakat and is eligible for Zakat payment becomes the owner of the amount. Thus, to give food, clothing, medicine etc. to a poor person from the Zakat money is permissible. And those projects wherein ownership of the Zakat money is not achieved, Zakat cannot be given for example, spending in Masajid, digging wells etc.