Common Questions

United Muslims is committed to ensuring that every pound you donate is fully utilized to benefit those in need. We operate across more than 20 countries, working closely with local partners to identify and meet the critical needs of the most vulnerable communities. By prioritizing projects where the need is greatest, our Programs Department meticulously reviews and optimizes budgets to extend the reach of each contribution. Importantly, our 100% donation policy guarantees that all your donations go directly to the projects, not to administrative costs. We continually monitor and assess the effectiveness of our programs post-implementation to ensure impactful and sustainable outcomes.

United Muslims ensures that your donation is allocated precisely to the intended appeal and cause. We meticulously track and allocate funds, working in partnership with local organizations to address the most urgent needs on the ground. Our commitment to rigorous checks and balances guarantees the impact of your donation, ensuring it delivers maximum benefit to those who need it most.

If you are interested in becoming a faith-based philanthropy partner, please contact us at support@united-muslims.org.

Zakat, a mandatory annual contribution, is required from adult Muslims whose wealth surpasses the Nisab threshold for an entire Islamic (lunar) year. This act of giving is a means to seek Allah’s (SWT) favor. The funds collected are utilized to assist the neediest, both locally and globally.

Zakat donations have specific eligibility criteria; they cannot be indiscriminately given to anyone. For instance, a husband cannot allocate his Zakat to his wife or children, as he already bears financial responsibility for them. Conversely, a wife may give Zakat to her husband if he fulfils the necessary criteria, ensuring that she derives no direct benefit from this contribution, such as the husband using it to buy her a gift.

Recipients of Zakat fall into one of the following eight categories:

• The impoverished.
• The destitute.
• Zakat administrators, like United Muslims.
• Those seeking to reconcile hearts.
• Individuals in bondage or captivity.
• Those burdened with debt.
• Causes in the path of Allah.
• Travelers in need.

Zakat is not a universal obligation for all Muslims, as outlined in the Qur’an. Eligibility for paying Zakat requires one to be above the age of puberty, a practicing Muslim, of sound mind, not enslaved, and in possession of a wealth surplus that exceeds the Nisab threshold.

United Muslims is committed to ensuring that Zakat contributions are used for critical responses in emergencies within Muslim-majority communities and for specific development projects in these areas. Consequently, your Zakat can aid in providing emergency sustenance, refuge for displaced individuals, vocational training, medical assistance, and much more.

Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess to be obliged to pay Zakat. This threshold is based on the value of either gold or silver:

Gold: The value equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold.

Silver: The value equivalent to 612.36 grams of silver.

Since gold and silver prices fluctuate, the Nisab threshold varies accordingly. This variability makes tools like our Zakat calculator extremely useful, as they assist Muslims in determining not only their eligibility to pay Zakat but also the amount due. A Muslim’s wealth must surpass the Nisab limit for a complete Islamic year, or ‘Hawl’, which spans 354 days.

If your wealth falls below the Nisab threshold at any point during the Islamic year but remains above it at both the beginning and end of the Hawl, it’s advisable to consult your local imam for guidance.

Your obligation to pay Zakat arises when your wealth surpasses the Nisab threshold for an entire Islamic year, starting from the time your wealth initially exceeded this limit. The amount of Zakat due should be computed on the day you make your payment. Therefore, your Zakat is based on your current wealth status at the time of payment, regardless of any fluctuations in your wealth throughout the year.

The month of Ramadan is a favored period for many Muslims to fulfil their Zakat, as donations during this sacred month are believed to bring increased blessings and rewards. However, you are free to pay Zakat at any point in the year, provided your wealth has been above the Nisab threshold for a complete lunar year. It’s important to differentiate this from Zakat al Fitr, or Fitrana, which is a separate obligatory charity that must be paid before the Eid prayers during Ramadan.

Your Zakat liability is determined by the following rates:

2.5% on personal wealth and yearly savings.

5% on the assets of a farmer who has paid for crop irrigation.

10% on the assets of a farmer whose crops have been naturally irrigated by rainfall.

20% on valuable resources found on one’s property, like gold, silver, and oil.

Your Zakat obligation is based on your accumulated wealth, encompassing personal assets and liquid funds. Zakat is due on assets that are not essential for your daily living. For example, your primary residence is exempt, but a secondary property that you don’t live in should be counted in your Zakat calculation. Similarly, while your primary vehicle is considered a necessity and exempt, a second car, deemed a luxury, should be included.

Assets to consider for Zakat calculation include:

1. Cash, whether kept at home, in banks, or in savings accounts.
2. Savings set aside for specific purposes (like Hajj, property deposits, weddings, etc.).
3. The current value of any gold and silver you own.
4. Stocks and shares in your possession.
5. Revenue from rental properties (like a second home).
6. The value of debts owed to you that you expect to be repaid (e.g., money lent to friends or relatives).

When calculating Zakat, do not take into account:

1. Payments scheduled for the month in which you are paying Zakat.
2. Debts you owe, such as mortgage/rent payments, credit card debts, and personal loans.
3. Possessions like household appliances and clothing.
4. Business-related expenses, including bills, salaries, rents, and rates.
5. Business loans and overdrafts.

You have the option to fulfil your Zakat obligation through instalment payments, although it is preferable to make a single lump-sum contribution. If you are confident that your wealth will remain consistent, you can choose to pay in advance of the due date.

Zakat al Fitr, also known as Fitrana, is a distinct contribution separate from Zakat. It is exclusively observed during the sacred month of Ramadan, prior to the commencement of Eid. Traditionally, Fitrana is presented in the form of food, but United Muslims also welcomes monetary contributions, valued at $5 per person in the USA. These funds are directed towards providing essential food assistance to those in dire need.

To effortlessly determine your Zakat charity amount, kindly utilize our Zakat Calculator available on our website. 

After calculating your Zakat or knowing your owed amount, you have the option to make your donation through United Muslims. Your contribution will bolster our humanitarian efforts, making a significant impact on the lives of thousands living in poverty worldwide. 

Residential property used for personal purposes is excluded from Zakat obligations. Zakat does not pertain to a primary residence where you reside with your family.

You can authorize a charitable organization to distribute your Zakat to deserving recipients on your behalf, and it is permissible to do so.

Sadaqa is voluntary charity, an act of giving aimed at providing assistance and relief to those in need. It is a way for Muslims to purify their wealth and seek Allah’s pleasure.

While Zakat is a mandatory annual payment calculated based on one’s wealth, Sadaqa is voluntary, without any set amount or frequency, intended to assist and uplift the community.

Yes, Sadaqa can be given to any individual or group in need, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or background.

No, there is no minimum amount for Sadaqa. Any act of kindness, no matter how small, is considered Sadaqa in Islam.

Absolutely, Sadaqa can be given in many forms including time, effort, or kind words. Every act of goodness is considered Sadaqa.

By donating through reputable and transparent organizations like United Muslims, you can ensure your Sadaqa is utilized effectively and reaches those truly in need.

Yes, you can give Sadaqa on behalf of another person, including deceased relatives, as a way to honor them and contribute to their afterlife.

Sadaqa can be given at any time. However, giving during times of hardship, or in the month of Ramadan, is highly encouraged and holds great reward.

Your Sadaqa helps provide immediate relief in disaster-stricken areas, aiding in recovery, rebuilding efforts, and providing essential supplies to affected communities.

To enhance the impact and significance of your Sadaqa, consider aligning your donation with causes that resonate deeply with you and the needs of the community. Reflect on the issues you are passionate about and the areas where you feel change is most needed. Additionally, making Sadaqa a regular practice, rather than a one-off gesture, can greatly increase its value and effect. Engage in acts of kindness, offer your time, share your skills, and keep the intention pure and focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah. Remember, the most meaningful Sadaqa is that which comes from the heart and serves to better the lives of others.

Sadaqa Jariyah refers to ongoing charity that continues to benefit people and earn rewards for the giver even after their passing. It represents lasting acts of kindness that keep on giving.

Unlike regular Sadaqa, which provides immediate, one-time assistance, Sadaqa Jariyah is an investment in projects that offer long-term benefits and continuous rewards.

Yes, anyone can contribute to Sadaqa Jariyah, regardless of the amount. What matters is the lasting impact of the donation.

Projects that provide long-term benefits, such as building wells, schools, hospitals, or mosques, qualify as Sadaqa Jariyah. Sponsoring orphans, regulating distribution of Islamic material to promote Islam also qualify for Sadaqa Jariyah.

Donating through a reputable organization like United Muslims ensures that your Sadaqa Jariyah is invested in sustainable, impactful projects.

Yes, you can dedicate your Sadaqa Jariyah in honor or memory of someone else, and they will also receive the rewards.

Any time is a good time for Sadaqa Jariyah, though many choose to give during Ramadan or on special occasions as a way to maximize their spiritual rewards.

Yes, Sadaqa Jariyah can be given anonymously. Many believe that giving anonymously increases the sincerity of the act, ensuring it is done solely for the pleasure of Allah and not for recognition or praise from others.

While all acts of Sadaqa Jariyah are meritorious, projects that provide long-term benefits, such as building schools, healthcare facilities, building mosques or water wells, are particularly impactful. These initiatives continue to assist communities long after the initial investment.

The amount to contribute is a personal decision based on your capabilities and the needs of the project. There is no minimum or maximum amount for Sadaqa Jariyah; what matters most is the intention and the ongoing impact of the contribution. Our donation form lists the amount required to successfully implement certain projects with your Sadaqa Jriyah.

Aqiqah is an Islamic tradition of sacrificing animals following the birth of a child as a form of gratitude towards Allah.

Ideally, Aqiqah should be carried out on the seventh day after a child’s birth, but it can be done later if needed.

For a boy, two animals (usually goats or sheep) are sacrificed, and for a girl, one.

Any Muslim can perform Aqiqah. It is typically the responsibility of the child’s parents or guardians.

Yes, Aqiqah can be performed at any age if it was not done after birth.

Aqiqah is considered Sunnah, highly recommended, but not obligatory.

The meat should be divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the needy.

Yes, you can delegate a charity organization to distribute the Aqiqah meat on your behalf.

Aqiqah is subject to one’s financial ability; if you cannot afford it, you are not obligated to perform it.

The Aqiqah ceremony typically involves animal slaughter, dedicating prayers for the newborn, followed by meat distribution among loved ones and the needy, embodying Islamic generosity. Families often cook and share meals, announcing the baby’s name and performing the traditional head shaving during this festive gathering.

Fidya is a charitable donation required from those who cannot fast due to illness or age, to feed a poor person for each missed day.

It’s required for individuals who are unable to fast during Ramadan due to lasting health issues or old age.

Typically, the amount is equivalent to feeding one person two meals for each day of fasting missed. At the current rate, it is calculated to be $5 per missed fast.

Yes, you can distribute your Fidya throughout the month or as financial circumstances allow.

Fidya is for those unable to fast due to health, while Kaffarah applies to intentionally broken fasts.

It’s based on local costs of providing a meal to a person for each missed day of fasting. At the current rate, it is calculated to be $5 per missed fast. For the full month of Ramadan in 2024, total Fidya amount is $150.

Ideally, it should be paid during Ramadan before Eid-ul-Fitr.

It should specifically go towards feeding the poor and needy.

It’s recommended to distribute Fidya during Ramadan to provide timely aid for Muslim brothers and sisters who are fasting.

While traditionally paid during Ramadan, early payment is permissible to ensure timely aid.

Kaffarah is a form of expiation required for intentionally missed or invalidated fasts during Ramadan, involving feeding the poor or fasting for a specific period.

It becomes obligatory when a person intentionally breaks a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason.

Typically, it involves feeding 60 needy people or fasting for 60 consecutive days for each missed or invalidated fast.

Yes, one can provide the monetary equivalent to feed 60 needy people if fasting is not feasible.

The needy and poor benefit directly from Kaffarah donations.

Kaffarah is due for intentionally broken fasts, while Fidya compensates for unavoidably missed fasts due to health issues.

Yes, you can calculate and pay Kaffarah for multiple missed fasts together.

The amount is based on the cost of feeding 60 people; local Islamic authorities or charitable organizations can provide current rates. In the USA, we have calculated this to be $300 per broken fast.

Ideally, Kaffarah should be paid as soon as possible after the fast is missed or invalidated.

No, Kaffarah specifically relates to missed or invalidated fasts; missed prayers have different forms of expiation.

Waqf is a charitable endowment under Islamic law, typically involving donating assets or property for religious or charitable purposes perpetually.

The donor sets aside assets or property as Waqf, and the benefits (like rent from a property) are used for charitable purposes as specified by the donor. Donors can also donate money towards a large Waqf fund, the earnings from this fund are then used towards charitable purposes.

Yes, any adult Muslim of sound mind can establish a Waqf for a charitable cause.

Assets like land, buildings, money, or stocks can be dedicated as Waqf.

They are used according to the donor’s instructions, typically for community welfare, education, healthcare, or mosque maintenance.

Yes, in many ways, Waqf functions similarly to a charitable trust but is governed by Islamic law.

Yes, while often used for religious causes, Waqf can also support social welfare and humanitarian projects.

It provides ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), community support, and can be a source of perpetual reward for the donor.

Yes, donors can specify the charitable purposes for which the Waqf is to be used.

A Waqf is managed by trustees or Waqf boards as per the conditions set by the donor and in accordance with Islamic law.

Lillah is a voluntary charity without specific beneficiaries and can be used for broader purposes, unlike Zakat, which has defined rules and specific categories of recipients.

There is no minimum; any amount contributed with sincerity is valued in Lillah.

Yes, Lillah contributions are often used for long-term projects such as sponsoring orphans, building mosques, schools, and other community services.

Besides helping the community, Lillah purifies wealth, brings blessings to the donor’s life, and earns them rewards in the hereafter.

Typically, Islamic charities or local mosques manage Lillah funds, ensuring they are used for projects in line with Islamic principles.

Yes, unlike Zakat al-Fitr, Lillah can be donated at any time and is not limited to Ramadan.

Donating interest earnings helps cleanse your wealth by removing the Haram (forbidden) element and supporting charitable causes.

Yes, it’s encouraged to dispose of Riba through charity, helping purify your earnings and benefit the community.

United Muslims offers a straightforward platform for you to contribute your Riba earnings to various charitable projects.

While specific allocations may vary, United Muslims ensures your donations address urgent needs, maximizing the positive impact.

Donating Riba does not affect your Zakat obligations; it’s a separate act of purifying your wealth.

Donating Riba does not affect your Zakat obligations; it’s a separate act of purifying your wealth.

Absolutely, donations from all individuals are welcome and appreciated, supporting inclusive community welfare.

Your donated Riba funds are utilized in humanitarian projects, directly aiding those in need and funding essential services.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muslims fast during Ramadan to fulfil one of the Five Pillars of Islam, to cultivate self-discipline, to cleanse the soul, and to empathize with the less fortunate. Fasting is seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify oneself.

Yes, if you miss any fasts due to legitimate reasons such as illness or travel, you can make up for them at a later time. If you are unable to fast at all due to chronic illness or old age, you may fulfil your obligation through Fidya.

Fidya is a charitable donation made when a person is not able to fast during Ramadan due to valid reasons, like illness or pregnancy. It typically involves feeding a needy person for each day of fasting missed.

Kaffarah is the compensation required for deliberately breaking a fast during Ramadan without a valid excuse. It involves fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 needy people for each day of fasting that was intentionally missed.

Zakat-ul-Fitr should be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is meant to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.

Absolutely, giving Sadaqah (voluntary charity) is highly encouraged during Ramadan. Acts of generosity and giving are believed to be rewarded manifold in this holy month.

The amount varies by region and is typically equivalent to the cost of a basic food basket for one person. In the USA it is calculated to be $5 per person in a household.

Every Muslim, including children, is required to pay Zakat ul Fitr, provided they have the means above their basic needs.

Zakat ul Fitr should be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, ensuring it can be distributed to the needy in time for the holiday celebrations.

Yes, while traditionally given in food, many scholars permit paying Zakat ul Fitr in cash equivalent to the value of the foodstuff required.

Yes, the head of the household can pay on behalf of all family members, or each earning member can pay individually.

It is preferable to give it during Ramadan but it can be given earlier if needed to ensure timely delivery.

Yes, you can appoint someone to distribute Zakat ul Fitr on your behalf, especially if they can ensure it reaches the needy in time.

It should be paid as soon as you remember, even if it’s after Eid.

No, it is a separate obligation. Missed fasts need to be made up or compensated for by other means as per Islamic law.

It is not required, but some choose to do so voluntarily.