Islam is a religion that holds high principles for Muslims to follow and has urged them to practice humanity in every aspect of life. Islam has urged the Muslims to be empathetic and make practical attempts, to uplift those who lack the strength to cope with the hardships of life so that they can overcome the miseries and live decently. List of Top 10 Zakat Accepting Organizations in the UK.
Islam has made it compulsory for every Muslim to give Zakat annually, a thoughtful giving through which a Muslim can stand by the weak and the poor who cannot afford their basic needs to sustain life. Therefore, all Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their property as Zakat, and if possible they can give voluntary charity in the form of Sadaqah to help more people in need.
Our beloved Prophet (SA) has reminded the Muslims to abide by the command of Allah and give Zakat to the poor and needy.
“…Tell them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay Zakah which will be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them.”- (Bukhari, Hadith no. 1395)
Islam has reminded us several times in the Quran and the Hadith that riches and wealth are bounties given to the fortunate ones by Allah, so we do not have the right to cling to it on our sweet will but spend it according to the laws of the Shari’ah, to spread love and cooperation within our community. Below are two verses from the Quran that explain the significance of giving alms in Islam.
“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” (Surah-Al-Hadid: 7)
“And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns – it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [standard] traveler- so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Surah -Al-Hashr: 7)
These aforementioned Quranic verses, highlight the truth that one cannot become a true Muslim until they care for their poor brothers and heal the wounds and agonies of the needy population.
In order to gain closeness to Allah, one must give Zakat annually. Here we have enlisted the top 10 Zakat accepting organizations in the UK, where you can consider donating your Zakat money to uplift innocent lives and gain the mercy of Allah.
List of Top 10 Zakat Accepting Organizations in the UK
1. Transparent Hands
2. National Zakat Foundation
3. Muslim Hands
4. Al Mustafa Welfare Trust
5. Islamic Help
6. Islamic Aid
7. Islamic Relief UK
8. Aryana Aid
9. Al-Khair Foundation
10. Muslim Aid
1. Transparent Hands
“Transparent Hands” provides free medical and surgical treatment facilities to deserving patients across Pakistan in private hospitals. It also sets up free medical camps in rural areas of the country in which free consultation, free medicines, and free diagnostic tests facility is given to needy patients and their families. Donors from all over the world can use our online Crowdfunding web portal and donate through 100% secure payment modes. They could select any patient, fund the treatment, and receive regular feedback and updates until the patient is recovered completely.
Our User-Friendly Online Fundraising Work as Follows:
- Choose the medical project that you want to fund.
- Choose from a number of payment methods at your convenience.
- Donate to that particular project and get tax exemption.
- Get regular updates on the patient until he/she gets fully recovered.
What makes us unique is; our transparency level which means donors will be ensured that each penny they are giving will be spent on a needy patient. We do this by uploading all the hospital bills and other documents of our patient after his/her surgery are successfully conducted or he/she undergoes complete treatment of the disease. Donors can see the exact amount hospital has charged against the treatment of that particular patient.
Why Donate to Us?
- You want to save the lives of people by donating for their medical/surgical treatment.
- You want to sponsor a medical camp in a remote area of Pakistan that could provide free treatment to hundreds of patients and their families.
- You need complete transparency of where your donation/charity is going.
Donors can completely put their trust in us regarding their donations and charity. There are many people in Pakistan and all over the world who wish to spend their money on non-profit charity organizations but they are unsure about the cause to which they should donate. In order to ensure complete transparency, Transparent Hands uploads all the documents with the patients’ success stories so the donors can see that their money is spent on the right cause.
Download our TransparentHands iPhone Application for Online Donation
2. National Zakat Foundation :
“National Zakat Foundation (NZF)” seeks to revive and uphold the third pillar of Zakat. NZF’s mission is to distribute Zakat transformatively within the United Kingdom.
Their vision is for Islam to flourish in society as a source of prosperity and harmony for all.
Muslims are people who choose to devote themselves to God completely. They believe the strongest foundation for happiness in this life and the next lies in this relationship of devotion (Islam) between the human and Divine. There are five core obligations or pillars: bearing witness that there is no god but God and that Muhammad was final messenger of God, prayer, Zakat, fasting and pilgrimage. The overarching purpose of all the core obligations is to enable devotion to God (Islam) to flourish, individually and collectively.
What is Zakat ?
In the Arabic language, Zakat means growth, blessings, purification and development. Zakat requires Muslims to pay 2.5% of their qualifying wealth on an annual basis. It provides an opportunity for the payer to fulfil their duty to God by making a financial commitment. It also provides an opportunity to help the poor.
UK’s Zakat Focused Organisation :
National Zakat Foundation (NZF) collects Zakat payments from UK Muslims and distributes them transformatively within the UK.
They believe your Zakat should be distributed effectively, so your payment provides long-term benefit for Islam and Muslims in the UK.
Since 2011, they’ve distributed £10 million to help over 10,000 people in this country.
They use your Zakat to empower individuals in poverty, as well as to fund leadership development that benefits Islam and UK Muslims.
You Can Trust Them :
They’re committed to ensuring our Zakat distribution is legally sound, purposeful and effective. That’s why they have a Strategy, Policy and Research team that consults a wide range of expert advisers, including scholars, researchers and practitioners.
They’re frequently audited by a leading auditor, and their audits always come back clean.
3. Muslim Hands
“Muslim Hands” is an international Non-governmental organization, in over forty countries worldwide to help those affected by natural disasters, conflict and poverty. The organization was established in 1993 in Nottingham, UK.
Their Areas of Work :
They’re dedicated to serving the most vulnerable people across the world, by addressing the root causes of poverty and empowering communities. From addressing short-term needs to tackling long term issues, Muslim Hands works to alleviate poverty through a range of varied and important areas.
Humanitarian Focus :
Muslim Hands has three main points of focus:
-> Development work, which tries to lift communities out of poverty with long-term sustainable solutions based on their needs.
-> Humanitarian work, assisting those immediately affected by conflict and natural disaster.
-> Community welfare and development facilitating and developing local community-based projects in the UK.
Muslim Hands works in over 50 of the world’s poorest countries and has offices in London and Nottingham in the UK, with global headquarters in France, Canada and South Africa. Ground-level aid is provided by staff and offices in regions including Malawi, Niger, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Palestine, China and South East Asia.
Giving Your Zakat :
Zakat, meaning to purify, it is the third pillar of Islam.
At Muslim Hands they take the responsibility of handling Zakat extremely seriously. They understand that paying Zakat is not simply an act of charity – it’s an act of worship. With their dedicated Zakat service, your donation will reach those most in need, both quickly and securely.
Their range of online resources will help you calculate and decide how best to spend your Zakat through one of their many Zakat eligible programmes. Their projects include providing communities with clean water, enabling orphans to go to school and feeding families in need.
4. Al Mustafa Welfare Trust
“Al Mustafa Welfare Trust” has spent over 30 years providing humanitarian aid to the most poorest countries in the world. Their main sector of expertise is in health care where they run medical centres in Pakistan.
Their journey began in November 1983 on a small scale by a group of highly motivated intellectuals, social workers, lawyers, doctors, engineers and business executives, who had the passion for philanthropy. In the last 31 years since their formation, Al-Mustafa Welfare Trust has provided medical care, education assistance, food aid, poverty relief, famine relief and community development in disaster areas, war torn countries and many rural and poverty stricken areas of the world, serving millions of needy and helpless people living in poverty.
Al-Mustafa Welfare Trust started its operations in the UK in 2007. In a short space of time they have built their reputation and gained recognition by donors in UK as a charity that is well structured, trust worthy and fully transparent.
At Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, their charitable team work to supply an extensive variety of necessary services to people in need . From healthcare and education to food, water and emergency relief, their strong network enables them to help those in need across the country.
Last year, they distributed zakat in eleven countries across the world and provided vital funding for nine projects. Through their appeal, they were able to provide much-needed emergency relief to over 80,000 people in need. They sent food packages, warm clothing, shelters and essential hygiene items to vulnerable people in countries such as Kenya, India, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan and Palestine.
During Ramadan, they were able to supply essential food packs to more than 30,000 people. They were also able to provide Sudanese women and young people, with the necessary means to start their own small businesses and begin earning to support themselves.
In Somalia, they have helped almost 150 families to withstand the devastating effects of drought and natural disasters.
Your zakat carries the power to change the lives of people around the world for the better. At Al Mustafa Welfare Trust, their ultimate goal is to transform today’s zakat recipients into tomorrow’s zakat givers.
CALCULATING ZAKAT :
Giving zakat is obligatory for all applicable Muslims in Islam. However, as nisab values can vary, not all of us will always know how much we are liable to pay. To make the process easier for you, simply enter all of your values into their handy calculator tool and your zakat contribution will be determined for you.
5. Islamic Help :
“Islamic Help” is a UK-registered charity and international NGO established in 2003, by a group of young people determined to make a difference to the lives of those afflicted by poverty and suffering.
Since it was established, Islamic Help has maintained its unique grassroots and community-led ethos allowing it to engage with, and engage the services of the UK community so as to make a difference to the lives of those in need. It remains dependent on its dedicated and active volunteers who provide grassroots input into its work.
Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means.
The individual must own a specific amount of wealth or savings (after living costs, expenses etc). This is referred to as Nisaab and is the threshold at which Zakat becomes payable. The amount of Zakat to be paid is 2.5% of Nisaab .
Zakat Calculator :
The simplest and easiest way to fulfil your obligation of Zakat is to use their Zakat calculator to work out how much you have to pay.
It will show the Nisaab figure (using up-to-date information) and automatically work out how much Zakat is due based on the numbers you input into the various categories.Whilst the value of eligible goods and items can vary throughout the year, Zakat is based on the Nisaab at the end of the individual’s full Islamic (lunar) year.
There are two measures to determine Nisaab :
-> Gold or its cash equivalent.
-> Silver or its cash equivalent.
Many scholars recommend using silver as more people paying Zakat means more is available for beneficiaries.
Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (in hand, in bank accounts or money lent to someone), shares, pensions, value of crops, money from property investment and gold and silver.
Personal items (your home, furniture, cars, food, clothing) are not included in Nisaab. Zakat can be paid as a full sum or regular monthly payments.
Use their Zakat calculator to find out how much Zakat you have to pay. The nisaab value is based on the value of silver.
6. Islamic Aid :
“Islamic Aid” was established in 2000, to make immediate and lasting improvements to the lives of people affected by poverty, war and disaster by providing food, water, healthcare, education and livelihoods. They also provide emergency relief when disasters strike the poor communities.
Islamic Aid is governed by a Trust Deed and is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales.
Islamic Aid Works in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe to address the needs of all those in need, regardless of their race, religion, gender, nationality or political opinion.
How Islamic Aid Works :
Their all humanitarian and development work centers around partnerships. Islamic Aid works alongside local organizations overseas.
Islamic Aid offers financial and practical assistance to improve capacity and skills. Islamic Aid evaluates projects regularly to keep improving.
They work according to internationally agreed standards, principles and core partnership values.
Aims and Values :
Islamic Aid is a Muslim relief and development charity. Islamic Aid believes that the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.
Islamic Aid is working in many parts of the world to bring change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality.
Islamic Aid provides urgent, practical and effective assistance where need is great, tackling the root effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
Poverty is an outrage against humanity. Islamic Aid has a vision “An End to Poverty” and they believe that that vision can become a reality.
Islamic Aid’s work is focused around the goals and objectives identified in our corporate strategy, ‘Partnership for change – the power to end poverty’ .
How Money is Spent :
Last year, for every £1 you gave they spent £1.10 on their work with poor people. They are able to do this because their admin costs are very low and they can reclaim the tax you have already paid on your donation through Gift Aid.
Zakat Calculator :
Calculate the amount of zakat that is payable using their zakat calculator.
Zakat al-fitr (Fitrana) :
Zakat al-Fitr (fitrana) is charity given to the poor at the end of fasting month of Ramadan. Islamic Aid suggest that £3 is given for each member of the household – including children, adults, servants etc , before the day of Eid.
7. Islamic Relief :
“Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.”
“Islamic Relief UK “ is an humanitarian organization that provides development programs and humanitarian relief around the globe, regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief.
Founded in 1984 in the United Kingdom, it states that it delivers its projects in over 30 countries. It also owns a subsidiary company, TIC International, based in Birmingham, UK. It collects and recycles clothes to raise funds for IR’s work and provides canned meat for aid purposes.
In line with Islamic teachings on the value of every human life, we provide assistance to whoever needs it most, regardless of race, religion or gender. They work to transform and save lives of people in crisis both across the UK and internationally.
Over 40 years, Islamic Relief has since grown into one of the world’s largest Islamic NGO, Alhamdulillah!
Their Values :
Last year alone, your Zakat enabled them to save lives.
Zakat has funded some of their crucial work with people and communities living in disaster and war zones: drought and famine-struck countries across East Africa; communities affected by conflict in Yemen; and families in war-torn Syria struggling to survive one day to the next. Your Zakat has supported communities to build sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change and to build better lives for vulnerable orphans and families across the globe.
Alhamdulillah, your Zakat has the power to transform people’s lives. Help make this happen. Give your Zakat for the love of Allah.
How is Your Money spent?
Without the crucial support of their donors, none of this work would be possible. They recognize the trust placed upon us by their donors and wide support base and they take this responsibility seriously.
They work to make sure that they use your donations in the most efficient way possible, to ensure that they respond to communities in crisis when tragedy strikes, whilst also working to empower communities worldwide for a better future, free from poverty and inequality.
Here’s how your donations support millions of people worldwide, each and every day.
For every pound spent:
->86% is spent on direct charitable programmes :
Enabling them to save and transform the lives of individuals, families and communities in need across the globe.
->4% goes towards support costs :
Allowing them to deliver aid locally in over 40 countries. With offices and partners on the ground across four continents, when a disaster hits, they’re able to respond immediately.
->7% is used towards fundraising :
So that they can generate future income and help even more people in need.
->2% is spent on trading and investment :
To facilitate their charity shops, clothes recycling operations and additional Waqf programme, to ensure that they raise as much support as possible for communities abroad.
->1% goes towards advocacy work :
Fighting the fundamental causes of poverty and inequality and finding longer lasting solutions to empowering communities worldwide over the long-term.
8. Aryana Aid
“Aryana Aid” is a charity organization. They are a volunteer led charity registered in the UK, working to improve the lives of men, women and children in Afghanistan.
They work with the local Afghan Communities to deliver emergency food ,shelter and medical supplies. At Aryana Aid, 100 % of your donation goes directly to beneficiaries, none to administrative costs.
Their Projects :
-> Wheel Chair Project :
Aryana Aid has Wheelchair Distribution Program in Afghanistan.
-> Orphan Sponsorship :
HELP them to provide a warm, caring and loving environment for Afghan children.
-> Emergency Shelter :
HELP them provide emergency shelter for desperate families left homeless, following a generation of conflict in Afghanistan.
-> Widow Skills Training :
They work with rural communities to promote their economic and social lives, essentially helping poor Afghan innocent women.
-> Food Package :
HELP them provide essential food items for malnourished men, women and children unable to sustain themselves with a regular meal.
-> Water Project :
Help them work with local engineers to install affordable water systems, and provide safe drinking water for Afghan communities.
Although your Zakat can be paid at anytime, your Nisab should be calculated on a fixed date each year. Use their online calculator to help you through the process.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and it is an act of worship, the meaning of Zakat is “to purify” and so to purify our own wealth.
Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (on hand and in bank accounts), shares, pensions, gold, silver, business goods, crops and cattle. You do not need to count personal items such as your home, furniture, cars, food and clothing.
The amount of Nisab must be over and above what is required to satisfy the immediate basic needs of the payer, including family responsibilities and due debts.
You can calculate your Zakat in minutes by using their calculator . Giving your Zakat through Aryana Aid means that they will be able to help orphaned and disabled children who are in bound of a wheelchair, through our Zakat.
They also have a 100 % Zakat policy which means that every penny you give will be spent on helping those in urgent need.
9. Al-Khair Foundation :
“Al-Khair Foundation” (AKF) is a UK-based international NGO, providing humanitarian support, international development, emergency aid, and disaster relief in some of the world’s most deprived areas. Established in 2003 and rapidly growing into one of the leading Muslim charities in the UK, Al-Khair Foundation also looks to tackle issues prevalent in the UK as well, such as unemployment, education, women’s empowerment and domestic violence.
HOW THEY STARTED :
Al-Khair Foundation (AKF) began with a school. In the Islamic tradition, which advocates that charity starts at home, they wanted to give back to their UK community first. And education was the best thing they knew to give.
HOW THEY GREW :
Today, Al-Khair Foundation (AKF) is a UK-based Muslim charity, and although they’ve been engaged in charitable work from the outset, education was initially their key priority. After their UK schools proved to be a success, AKF started building schools overseas. Their focus was educating orphans and children from underprivileged communities. This led to their work with widows and vulnerable women, and then to the establishment of the AKF shelters. Eventually they launched their water aid and livelihood projects, as well as the Al-Khair Foundation medical aid programmes.
What they do :
Al-Khair Foundation (AKF) works locally and globally to alleviate the suffering of dispossessed people. Through generous donations, they’re able to make a difference and save lives.
- Emergency Relief
Al-Khair foundation accepts your zakat and distributes it among poor and needy people.
They also have a zakat calculator on their website. You can calculate your zakat on it.
10. Muslim Aid
Muslim Aid is a UK-based Islamic charity NGO. It was originally run by former senior staff of the Muslim Council of Britain and is now run by a new board of seven members which took office in early 2018.
Muslim Aid is an international organization with almost 35 years of experience assisting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. The majority of their campaigns and appeals are Zakat-eligible, meaning that your donation has the power to really make a difference.
To tackle poverty and its causes by developing innovative and sustainable solutions enabling people and their communities to live in dignity and independence.
OUR LOGO :
The drop of water that is at the center of logo symbolizes life, underscored by the green crescent to emphasize the fact that they are driven by the humanitarian spirit of Islam.
A world of peace, compassion and justice where all people achieve fulfillment.
Importance of Zakat in Islam :
One of the Five Pillars of Islam, Zakat is a fundamental part of being a Muslim. Meaning purification, Zakat is the act of giving a set percentage of your total wealth to charity each lunar year and is required of every sane, adult Muslim whose accumulated wealth exceeds the current Zakat nisab value.
At Muslim Aid, they want to make paying your Zakat as easy as possible, which is why they have created a helpful Zakat calculator for your ease and convenience.
Utilize their calculator below to determine the exact amount of Zakat you will need to pay this lunar year.
Zakat is so much more than just giving to those in need.Paying Zakat is an act of worship. At Muslim Aid, they understand this wholeheartedly, which is why they strive to ensure that your Zakat payment reaches the most vulnerable and needy communities in the world, quickly and effectively.
Considering all the different items and details that must be kept in mind, understanding the Zakat nisab value and calculating your Zakat can be a challenging task. To address this, the Muslim Aid team has put together this brief guide explaining everything you need to know about calculating and paying Zakat, including the Zakat percentage of your wealth that must be paid and whether Zakat is tax applicable in the UK.
Download our Transparenthands Andriod Application for Online Donation
Islam is a harmonious and peaceful religion that has set some fixed laws to secure everybody’s interest and well-being. Islam is a balanced religion that does not differentiate between the rich or poor, neither does it believe in ranking one human superior over the other and opposes all sorts of oppression against the poor and weak.
Islam has emphasized giving Zakat to ensure that social security is also given to poor. According to Islamic philosophy, all Muslims are bound together as brothers and sisters, thus, every Muslim is responsible for the well-being of another Muslim which he cannot deny.
There is no place for narrowness and greed in Islam. If a rich Muslim denies giving Zakat, Islam views it as an oppression of the rich on the poor and strictly condemns such wrongdoings and miserly acts.
Abdullah Ibn-Omar narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “A Muslim is the brother of a fellow-Muslim. He should neither commit oppression upon him,nor let him down.”(Mukhtasar al-Bukhari, Hadith no.1115)
Whenever a Muslim sees a poor in misery he should not turn blind to his suffering. Instead, they should take the generous initiative to support them financially for their long term relief.