One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakâh (or zakat) means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakah is collected by companions our our Shaykh, Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal, and sent to him in Jerusalem right around the beginning of the month of Ramadan. Sidi used this money to purchase food and goods for the poor people in and around the holy city.

The amount of the zakah is 2.5% (or 1/40). Sidi has instructed his American students to figure zakah as follows:

• Take your total assets including house, cars, major household goods, bank accounts, real estate, etc. Figure the current used or market value, not the price when it was purchased.
  
• Subtract outstanding debt.
  
• Multiply by .026 - this means 2.5% of the net, positive value of your assets.
  
• Zakah is based on assets. It is not an income tax.

If you end up in negative numbers, still feel into what you can give. For example, those who have no assets but have income might want to pay a percentage of their income, even though this is not the traditional manner of figuring zakah.

It is important to give one's zakah during Ramadan and early in the month is best.

Send your zakah payments to:

Shadduli Center
130 Crane Dr
San Anselmo, CA 94960

You may call the Shadduli Center at 415-258-9920 with any zakah questions.

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A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqah, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet, may Allah's peace be upon him, said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'