Zakaat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, it is an obligatory act of giving a portion of your wealth to the poor every year. Allah has commanded us to give Zakaat:

"And establish prayer and give zakaat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is seeing". (Quran 2:110)

• Fulfilling the commandment of Allah (S.W.T)
• Strengthening our Honesty
• Increasing Self-Discipline
• Freeing ourselves from greed
• Cleansing our wealth
• Helping the poor and needy
• Reducing world poverty

Every Muslim who has reached puberty and is not mentally ill and has above the minimum required amount of wealth (Nisab), is required to pay Zakaat.

87.48 grams of Gold or 612.36 grams of Silver (or its monetary value in local currency).

2.5% of your wealth, annually e.g. if Wealth equates to £20,000 ÷ 40 = £500 as Zakaat

Fidyah is paid when someone is unable to fast during the month of Ramadhan due to medical conditions, pregnancy or any other valid medical reasons such as a prolonged illness and will therefore not be able to make up for the fast. Fidyah must be paid for each Fast missed.

The Fidyah amount for each missed fast is to feed 2 x meals to a poor person per missed fast which equates to £5 per day. Therefore, if you are unable to fast for the full duration of the month of Ramadhan, then the total Fidyah you must pay is 30 x £5 = £150.

You are required to pay Fidyah before you miss a fast or before the commencement of Ramadhan if you know you are going to be unable to Fast for the whole month.

Kaffarah is paid for Fasts missed deliberately in the month of Ramadhan without any medical reason. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is an obligation on all Muslims and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, therefore to deliberately not to fast there is a penalty. The kaffarah penalty is much higher than the calculation of Fidyah.

To atone for the missed/intentionally broken fast, a person must fast continuously for 60 days per fast. If they are unable to do that, then they have to feed 60 poor people for each missed/broken fast. This equates to £300 kaffarah for each missed/intentionally broken fast at a rate of £5 x 60 people.

Zakat al-fitr, also known as 'Fitrana', is the compulsory charity paid by every Muslim at the end of Ramadan. It is a way for Muslims to give thanks that they were able to complete the month of fasting.

It is mentioned in a hadith that

"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained Zakat ul Fitr to purify the fasting person from indecent words or actions, and to provide food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakaat for the person who gives it before the Eid prayer; but it is a mere Sadaqah for the one who gives it after the prayer."
(Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

Any Muslim who has food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat ul Fitr (Fitrana). Unlike Zakat, it is a duty on everyone in your household. Therefore, the head of the household, or parents and guardians, can pay on behalf of other members of the family.

It is compulsory for every member of a household including children and babies to pay Zakat ul Fitr (Fitrana). However, parents/guardians may pay on behalf of their children/dependents.

It is approximately £2 per person and should be paid for each member in the household.

Fitrana (Zakat ul Fitr) must be paid within the month of Ramadhan. The latest it can be paid is before the Eid prayer begins so that those in need can benefit in time for Eid.