Can you pay for Infaq, Alms, Waqf, and Zakat Al-Fitr?

Assalamualaikum.

Ustadz, I want to ask a question.

My question is related to zakat, infaq, and shodaqoh. What are the differences and similarities between the three?

Then, may I lend our money to some friends for waqf, giving, paying zakat, and giving alms? This is because they have no holiday or payday, but want to invest and give alms. Later, if you meet them during the holidays, my friends pay them to me.

And, is it also permissible to pay zakat fitrah? What verse and explanation are in what chapter? Also, please reference the shohih hadith.

Thank you, Ustadz.

Greetings, Fulanah

ANSWER:

Wassalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarokaatuh.

Zakat, infaq and alms have different meanings in language and terms.

Zakat comes from the word zakah, which means clean, holy, fertile, and growing. In terms, zakat is part of the assets that must be issued by a Muslim, to be given to the mustahiq or the group entitled to receive zakat. Zakat is an obligation that is included in the fourth pillar of Islam. A person who owns property, and the count of his assets has reached the nisab and haul, is obliged to pay zakat.

Infak comes from the word anfaqa-yunfiqu which means to spend or pay for things related to realizing Allah's commandments. In Indonesian, infaq is also defined as giving or donating assets that are used for good. In term, infa has the meaning, which is to spend part of the assets or income that we have to carry out the interests ordered in Islamic teachings. The position of infaq is different from the obligatory zakat. Infak does not know the nisab or the amount of property owned by a Muslim. There is no obligation in donations to be distributed to mustahiq. Infak can be given to children, family, relatives, neighbors, and so on. Because they do not have the law to reach the nisab, then infaq can be done by anyone, regardless of their condition. Infaq is a material issued with the aim of carrying out the teachings of Islam.

Almsgiving comes from the word shadaqa, which means 'true'. In terms, almsgiving is a gift made by a Muslim to a Muslim sincerely and voluntarily, not limited to a certain amount of time and amount.

Almsgiving has a wider universe than zakat and infaq. Alms can be both material and non-material. As a smile is sadaqah, it is non-material alms. So that anyone can carry out alms, even though they do not have a penny in material.

Regarding the zakat payment loan, it is not because of the inability but in technical terms, it is permissible, the important thing is to be understood. In the future, it can be entrusted to friends early, especially for zakat fitrah, and it can be paid when the time is right, or it can be via online, in this case a transfer or other convenient method. What is important, our intention to pay zakat can be fulfilled.

Wallâhu a'lam bish-showâb.

Regards!

..

#SahabatMigran want to consult about Islamic religious issues and life issues? Come on, submit the question via a WhatsApp message to the number + 852 52982419. [DDHK News]