Zakat

We turn your zakat donations into goodness by delivering them throughout the year to people in need in our country and all around the world.
Your zakat can become hope for a mother, support for a student’s education, or a warm meal on a family’s table.

In the fatwa dated 27/06/2014 and numbered 510 by the High Board of Religious Affairs of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, it is stated that there is no religious objection to using the funds deposited into the Turkish Red Crescent’s zakat account as in-kind assistance to meet needs such as cleaning, shelter, clothing, and similar necessities for those who have suffered due to natural disasters, war, and internal unrest in countries where Muslim communities live.

You can deduct your Zakat from your taxable income base

Cash Zakat
All cash donations made to the Turkish Red Crescent Society against an official receipt can be deducted from declared income (tax base). Both individual taxpayers and corporate taxpayers can deduct the full amount of their donations to Kızılay from taxable income without any percentage or amount limit (Income Tax Law Art. 89 and Corporate Tax Law Art. 10).

In-kind Zakat
Companies can record donations of food, cleaning supplies, clothing, and fuel made to the Turkish Red Crescent (operating according to Food Banking principles) as expenses and likewise benefit from tax exemption.
Importance and benefits of Zakat

• Zakat protects social balance; it promotes social justice and addresses economic inequality.
• Zakat is a social solidarity system; it strengthens solidarity and keeps the spirit of mutual help alive, increasing respect and affection.
• Zakat helps create an environment of peace and trust; it keeps the sense of unity and togetherness alive.
• Zakat brings blessings to one’s provision and helps relieve the difficulties of those in need.
• Zakat strengthens social communication; it prevents class-based division (poor–rich, etc.), reinforcing empathy by strengthening interpersonal relations.

 
Zakat strengthens social cohesion; it helps prevent divisions such as rich–poor class stratification and reinforces empathy by fostering stronger connections and communication among people.
To calculate your zakat and explore the projects you can support with your zakat donation, please visit our website: https://zekat.kizilay.org.tr/
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zakat?

Zakat, one of the pillars of Islam, refers to the amount that people who possess wealth above the religiously defined threshold (nisab) are required to give to those in need.

Who is obligated to give Zakat? / Who can give Zakat?

If one full year has passed over the zakatable wealth, and that wealth exceeds one’s annual debts and essential needs, zakat becomes obligatory (fard) for Muslims who have reached puberty, are free, and are of sound mind.

What is the Nisab amount?

Nisab is the minimum wealth threshold set for acts of worship like zakat. This threshold is: 20 mithqal (80.18 g) for gold; 5 camels; 30 cattle; 40 sheep/goats.

How is Zakat calculated?

After subtracting existing debts, zakat is calculated on the remaining wealth based on these rates:

• 1/40 for gold, silver, cash, trade goods, sheep and goats
• 1/30 for cattle/buffalo and similar large livestock
• 1/10 for agricultural produce (ushr); if irrigated with paid watering, 1/20
• For income-generating assets (house, shop, factory, vehicles, machinery): 1/10 of net income or 1/20 of gross income

Who can receive Zakat?

Those who can receive zakat is specified in the Qur’an: the poor, the needy, zakat collectors, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those to be freed from bondage, debtors, those striving in the path of God, and stranded travelers.

Who cannot receive Zakat?

Those who are themselves able to give zakat, non-Muslims, first-degree relatives (mother, father, grandparents, children, grandchildren, etc.), and spouses cannot give zakat to each other.

Is zakat due on jewelry?

Zakat is not due on jewelry other than gold and silver.

Can Zakat be given to charities? Is it permissible?

There is no religious objection to giving zakat and fitrah to trustworthy associations, foundations, institutions, and aid funds that collect these in a fund and spend them only on the categories listed in Qur’an 9:60, managed by reliable people.

Can Zakat be paid by bank transfer?

Zakat may be given in person, by proxy, or via transfer/EFT.

Is money saved for basic needs subject to zakat?

Those who have entered into a written or verbal commitment to secure essential needs (shelter, clothing, food) do not need to pay zakat.