Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompose. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray. Ameen.

Zakat and Sadaqah or Infaq are among the topics that have endless discussion in the Muslim community. Although the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah or Infaq has been explained repeatedly, yet there are still member of the community who are still in confusion.

Here I list down the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah or Infaq to serve as a guide to all:

1. Zakat is enjoined in Islam on specific things, which are: gold, silver, crops, fruits, trade goods and animal livestock, i.e., camels, cattle and sheep.

Sadaqah or Infaq, it is not obligatory on any kind of wealth, rather it is what a person can give, without any specific limits or guidelines.

2. Zakat is subject to the conditions that one full Hijri have passed since acquiring the wealth, and that the wealth meets the minimum threshold (nisab), and it is a specific portion of wealth.

Sadaqah or Infaq is not subject to any conditions, and it may be given at any time, in any amount.

3. Allah s.w.t. has enjoined that Zakat be given to certain types of people, and it is not permissible to give it to anyone else.

Sadaqah or Infaq, it may be given to those mentioned in the verse on Zakat and also to others.

4. The one who withholds Zakat is to be punished.

Sadaqah or Infaq, the one who does not pay it will not be punished.

5. According to the four schools of law, it is not permissible to give zakat to one’s ascendants or descendents. Ascendants include one’s mother, father, grandfathers and grandmothers; descendents include one’s children and their children.

Sadaqah or Infaq may be given to one’s ascendants and descendants.

6. It is not permissible to give Zakat to Non-Muslim.

Sadaqah or Infaq may be given to Non-Muslim.

Thus, it is very important that we constantly educate and refresh ourselves on the matters of religion.