Zakat and Sadaqah are forms of charity given by Muslims. The two are different in their own respects.
Zakat means growth, purification and blessing in Arabic. Sadaqah means sign of sincerity of faith.
While
Zakat is obligatory, Sadaqah is voluntary. Zakath, which is one of the
five pillars of Islam, is to be given by all Muslims.
Zakath
is given out of the surplus wealth or earnings. There are certain
conditions for giving Zakath and is only distributed to certain people.
Zakath should be given to poor people, to free captives, to those who
are in debt, those employed to collect funds, for Allaah’s Cause and
for wayfarer. Zakath is also given once in every year.
On
the other hand there are no preconditions for giving Sadaqah. It can
be given to any people and at any time. Sadaqah can be given during
weddings, personal success, anniversaries and instances of sadness and
happiness.
If
a person owes Zakath, his heirs should have to pay it from his wealth.
There is no such obligation with regard to Sadaqah. Moreover, Zakath
should not be given to ones descendants or antecedents. But Sadaqah can
be given to the antecedents and descendants.
Zakath
is not given to persons who are rich and who are able to make a
living. On the contrary, Sadaqah can be given to any person,
irrespective that he is rich or strong. Another difference is that
Zakath cannot be given to one’s wife but Sadaqah can be given to one’s
wife.
Summary
1. While Zakat is obligatory, Sadaqah is voluntary
2.
There are certain conditions for giving Zakath and is only
distributed to certain people. Zakath is also given once in every year.
On the other hand, there are no preconditions for giving Sadaqah. It
can be given to any people and at any time.
3.
Zakath should not be given to ones descendants or antecedents.
But Sadaqah can be given to the antecedents and descendants.
4.
Zakath is not given to persons who are rich and who are able to
make a living. On the contrary, Sadaqah can be given to any person,
regardless if he is rich or strong.
5. Zakath cannot be given to one’s wife, but Sadaqah can be.
6.
If a person owes Zakath, his heirs should have to pay it from his
wealth. There is no such obligation with regard to Sadaqah.
