Muslims, in general, are particular about giving Zakat and most of them prefer to do it in the month of Ramadhan so as to reap more rewards.
“I especially give Zakat in the blessed month of Ramadhan. I prefer to give it individually, whoever I think is in need of it,” says Asna Husain who lives in Gurgaon.
“There are times when I give Zakat to a needy in other months also. A few times, I give it to my less fortunate relatives, who are too shy to come forward for their needs,” she adds.
However, there are others who have no fixed month to pay Zakat. They pay anytime during the year when the need arises.
Shomaila Tehzib, an activist and housewife, tells Radiance: “We pay Zakat anytime in the year, when we deem it appropriate like if we come across someone in dire need or situation.”
On being asked whether she gives Zakat on jewellery meant for her personal use, she asserts, “I give Zakat on jewellery meant for personal use as well.
“Part of my Zakat goes to my relatives in need, some amount in hand over to my in-laws to give it to the needy and poor around them. Part of it goes to an organisation in Bihar which is serving the downtrodden and the rest to my domestic helps and other like them.”
“We pay it in the month of Ramadhan always. We don’t give it to any charitable organisation, but individually we pay it. And I give Zakat on all my possessions, and yellow metals,” states Sumbul, a housewife who belongs to Jharkhand.
Anam Shamshad, a resident of Abul Fazl, Delhi shares her way of paying Zakat, “In my family we are used to giving Zakat anytime of the year. It depends on the situations we witness.”
“We prefer giving Zakat individually on our own because we have got relatives who are financially unstable, and many families close to us who are going through a rough phase. So, we give it accordingly. We do calculation on how much Zakat we need to pay, and then we give it to people to keep a track of how much to pay to whom, how much we have paid, and how many people are still left. It helps us in catering to more families,” declares Anam.
“And yes, we don’t give Zakat on jewellery meant for personal use, my other family members pay on jewellery but I don’t,” she further adds.
“We usually give Zakat in the month of Ramadhan, except a few catastrophic instances where we had to prioritise it accordingly,” says Ariba, a resident of Shaheen Bagh, Delhi.
Nazia Shakeel, a housewife who lives in Daman, explains, “We do it in the month of Ramadhan. I give a portion of amount to my mother-in-law in our hometown to give it to whoever she thinks falls under the eight Zakat categories. I have paid Zakat both ways, sometimes individually and sometimes to an organisation. We have fixed some amount to give each month like sponsoring education of a child while I keep some amount ready for people who urgently need it for medical reason or daughter’s marriage. This year we have contributed for Ramadhan kit too. I belong to Munger, so I have old ties there; I try to help them with Zakat. Rest depends on needs and urgency, and we give it according to that too.”
On being asked how she manages to give such huge amount of money being a housewife, she replies that her husband pays off her Zakat and manages everything for her.”
“I pay Zakat throughout the year. I calculate and keep the amount with me and then give it to people in need. I prefer giving it individually. I give it to my relatives in need, some destitute and poor people. I give Zakat on jewellery, and calculate it every year as to how much my Zakat this year would be,” avers Yusra Ali who lives in Delhi.
Saba, who hails from Lucknow and now resides in Delhi, says, “Of course, I do it in Ramadhan, as the reward is much higher. I pay individually and never preferred to give Zakat to any organisation. And yes, I pay Zakat on every piece of gold and silver I possess, whether for my personal use or as investment.”
She further adds, “I give it mostly through online banking, and some to my parents and in-laws to help the people around them back in my hometown.”
Ayesha, who lives in Noida, shares that she too prefers giving Zakat in Ramadhan, “I give Zakat in Ramadhan, and every year I send it to Kashmir. We have a trust for orphans in Kashmir, we send some to them as well. And I give Zakat on my gold ornaments as well. But this time it was different, as we helped those who went bankrupt because of prolonged lockdown, small businessmen who got hit badly and daily-wagers too.”
Saba Azim, a resident of Delhi, responds quickly, “I give Zakat anytime, not restricted to Ramadhan. And of course, as I am a housewife, my husband pays for it. And I give Zakat on all my jewellery.”
It’s a blessing in itself to see women paying their Zakat ever year dutifully, including housewives who are eager to purify their money and adhere to the commandments of Allah.
Some inferences may be drawn from this quick online survey of practices among Muslim women. 1. They are all conscious about their obligations on this account; 2. They mostly compute Zakat payable in the month of Ramadhan and distribute some amount in the month too, but they keep on paying to the needy in earlier months too, keeping the track of amount paid so that the balance may be paid in the holy month of Ramadhan; 3. Their first preference is to help their family members in need, and extending the helping hand to other needy persons, afterward; 4. The general practice is to pay Zakat on jewellery, while some opt for the opinion that it is not payable on ornaments in use; 5. General practice is to pay Zakat severally. This may be on account of lack of awareness about discharging this duty on congressional basis or dearth of information or confidence in any organisation for the purpose; 6. Homemakers are able to pay as their husbands cooperate in the matter, considering it to be a familial obligation.
Finally, it may be construed that this discharge of the duty keeps women aware of the financial position of the families in their families and society. This connection and concern with the poor and the needy in the society is an important intent of Zakat.