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National Zakat Foundation ™
RAMADAN 2015/1436
PRAYER TIMETABLE Page 8
PRISON BREAK Page 10
ZAKAT CALCULATION GUIDE Page 6 & 7
LIFE AFTER SADDAM Page 9
REVERT AT RISK Page 3
RAMADAN LEGACY MOBILE APP Page 4
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HELPING THE NEEDY AT HOME AND ABROAD Page 9
TRAPPED a tale of two sisters
For two sisters in deen, Salma and Nazira, it was the best case scenario. They were best friends to be married off to two men from the same extended family in the UK. As soon as Salma and Nazira arrived in the UK to start their married lives, they quickly found themselves in the service as slaves rather than that of wives or daughter-in-laws. The sisters were forced to cook and clean all day long but were given little food to eat for themselves. Makeshift beds were made for them to sleep on downstairs. Whenever either one of them failed to complete the housework or remonstrated about the ill-treatment, they were beaten by the family who were entrusted to take care of them. After two long years, they mustered the courage to break free. Nazira used the bathroom window to escape and sought help from the first passer by she could find, shouting “Help!”
The family who had kept both Salma and Nazira enslaved for so long were arrested and are set to be convicted. Although now free, Salma and Nazira had no place to go, no money, no additional clothes and no one to help them, until the police directed them to National Zakat Foundation (NZF). Salma and Nazira have a family friend they have been able to stay with. As they escaped without any of their belongings, NZF issued them with a clothing grant. The two were also eligible for support under the Destitution Domestic Violence (DDV) concession. This enables migrant women in
the UK on a spousal visa with no recourse to public funds (NRPFs) the right to access benefits and social housing for three months while they apply to stay in the UK as a victim of domestic violence. Under this concession they can apply for state support which their caseworker at NZF has supported them with. In the near future Salma and Nazira will seek employment and start a new chapter in their lives once their Leave to Remain in the UK is granted.For now they are stable and secure and have a support network to facilitate a home from home.
ZAKAT BEGINS AT HOME
RAMADAN REMINDER Page 4
1,500 applications for Zakat are expected in the next 12 months from those in desperate need in the UK. There are thousands of Muslims here in the UK who are eligible for Zakat. They may not be hitting the headlines, but that does not mean they have been forgotten. Since launching in 2011, the National Zakat Foundation has processed over 2,100 applications for support and distributed over £2.3m of Zakat to local, deserving recipients. Every month NZF receives one hundred new applications from ordinary Muslims with extraordinary struggles.
Sakinah is a single mum. Her ex-husband frequently subjected her to physical abuse. When his aggression extended to their baby daughter, she knew she had to leave. Sakinah recounts, “I felt like I was living on the edge of a cliff, petrified of him.” Unfortunately she was not able to return to her parents’ home as they would have encouraged her to return to her husband in an attempt to make the marriage work. So she escaped without any means to support herself and her baby daughter. Nasir came to the UK from North Africa to settle with his British wife. He is now in his 60s and homeless. After a lifetime together, sadly their marriage recently came
to end when his wife divorced him and he was forced to leave the marital home. Whilst he has the right to remain, unfortunately Nasir does not have British citizenship and therefore has no recourse to public funds. In a state of despair he has already attempted to take his own life. Osman came to the UK from Eritrea. He is young and keen to work. Having left the abject poverty of his home country, he came here for a better life. His asylum application is pending and until that is finalised, he cannot legally earn a livelihood to support himself. He escaped Eritrea, but sadly he did not escape hunger and poverty which he is experiencing here.
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THE THIRD PILLAR
It is time to revive the forgotten pillar By respecting and upholding the institution of Zakat, we pave the way for both spiritual and economic growth. By Iqbal Nasim
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uslims believe that their success in this life and beyond is bound intrinsically with their adherence to the five pillars of Islam. Just as a building without foundations cannot last, neither can any sense of authentic Muslim identity or community persist without the five core obligations being upheld. This is true at both an individual and societal level. What is required of us is to meet our obligations in a personal capacity but also to support the development of an infrastructure that allows others to do the same. As an example, one can perform the five daily prayers privately but there is clearly additional merit in giving up one’s time and money to help establish an institution for this purpose, namely the mosque, that allows Muslims to come together in performing the prayer. With Zakat, it is no different. Whilst the individual calculation and payment of Zakat can take place without institutions dedicated to upholding the pillar, this ad hoc approach puts a natural limit on the potential of Zakat to reap its true benefits for the community at large. The sad reality today is that the ma-
jority of the world’s Muslims now live in societies where the local collection and distribution of Zakat is either non-existent or simply inadequate. The negative spiritual consequences of this status quo are huge and should be of grave concern to us all. It also carries negative economic consequences too. One cannot underestimate the huge role that the proper administration of Zakat could indeed play in fostering economic growth through what can in effect become innovative partnerships between rich and poor. The National Zakat Foundation (NZF) was born in 2011 to institutionalise the pillar of Zakat in communities where the very idea of local collection and distribution of Zakat has been overlooked and subsequently a sunnah that has been forgotten. NZF is now the premier Zakat institution for the UK Muslim community, serving Zakat payers and recipients nationwide. By providing a complete Zakat service within the UK, NZF aims to achieve its vision of a pious, confident, selfless and self-sufficient UK Muslim community, where no individual in need is left abandoned. Muslims in the UK have a huge role to play in supporting the development of such efforts and we hope to provide a platform for new partnerships to form, in order to support the advancement of what is undoubtedly a noble and necessary endeavour.
PAY YOUR ZAKAT
PURIFY YOUR WEALTH
PROSPER IN ALL YOUR AFFAIRS
PROTECT THOSE IN NEED ON YOUR DOORSTEP
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WWW.NZF.ORG.UK
LEARN, CALCULATE, PAY
What is Zakat? Why it is important, and who is required to pay Zakat
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akat is a compulsory act of worship that requires Muslims who own wealth at or above a certain threshold (called the Nisab) to donate a portion of that wealth, typically 2.5%, to those who are eligible. It is a right the poor have over the rich. The Nisab was set by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at a rate equivalent to: 87.48 grams of gold and 612.36 grams of silver. These equate to approximately
£2,200 and £225 respectively (June 2015). Linguistically, Zakat is associated with purification and growth. The third of five pillars in Islam, its importance is such that in the Qur’an it is mentioned 28 times alongside the observation of Salat, the obligatory prayer. Why is it important? Islam encourages Muslims to seek halal employment and take part in entrepreneurial activity,
but in order for commerce to benefit society, Islam places several obligations on those involved in wealth creation. Amongst these is the obligation of Zakat. Scholars state that the giving of Zakat has both an outer and an inner dimension. The inner dimension suppresses the ego, helping Muslims to overcome tendencies such as selfishness and miserliness. The outer dimension involves the purification of a Muslim’s wealth and helping those in need.
SUCCESS STORY
Revert at risk Amanda is a new Muslim based in Manchester. After contemplating her purpose in life and learning more about Islam, she decided to become a Muslim. This was the happiest moment in her life, a moment in which Muslims believe all past sins are cleansed and life begins again with a fresh clean slate. Amanda was keen to share her happiness with her family. Her parents however did not accept her conversion to Islam and did not want her to remain under their roof as long as she remained a Muslim. Amanda is not the only new Muslim who faces such a harsh and
bleak predicament. After finding the religion and way of life she had been seeking for so long, her faith was sorely tested. Amanda hoped that this was just a knee jerk reaction and to begin with she didn’t move very far – she simply slept in the driveway in her car over night. She was keen to maintain relations with her family. Unfortunately, Amanda’s parents did not take pity on her and she was not given the opportunity to move back in. When she could no longer take sleeping another night in her car, Amanda turned to her local Islamic Centre, for help.
They were not able to provide Amanda with any hardship funds or direct support, but they contacted National Zakat Foundation (NZF) to help. NZF provided emergency accommodation for a week and worked with Amanda and her local Islamic Centre to advise her on what the options were to get her longer term accommodation. Thankfully, Amanda received support just at the right time. Thanks to that, we were able to show that we can be there as a community when it counts. Amanda hasn’t looked back since and is continuing to enjoy her faith.
Who pays Zakat? Those required to pay Zakat must be: » Adult (have reached puberty) » Muslim (Zakat is not paid by non-Muslims) » Sane » In complete ownership of the Nisab Please note the three schools of thought other than the Hanafi school state that Zakat should be paid on qualifying wealth owned by the insane and children
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Ramadan reminder » Observing the fasts of Ramadan unites Muslims the world over in common purpose and creates great social cohesion. But more than its social benefits, or physical benefits, Ramadan is principally designed to be spiritually and mentally transformative. » The whole point of fasting in Ramadan, is to foster a state of detachment from the world, as well as our ego and desires. This creates, as it were, a space in our souls for the remembrance of God and for awareness of His presence: O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become mindful of God. [2:183] » Ramadan, therefore, is that time of the year when our awareness of God sharpens and diligence to acts of devotion strengthen. » Along with the five daily prayers and actually fasting, the main acts of devotion a believer engages in are: reading the Qur’an daily, aiming to complete it by the month’s end; becoming more charitable; seeking God’s forgiveness (istighfar) profusely; praying tarawih and night prayers; working to cleanse the heart from diseases like pride, vanity, ostentation, jealousy, greed and harbouring malice or ill will against others; empathising with the poor and learning to live for the poor; remembering God frequently; entreating God abundantly; guarding the tongue from lying, backbiting, slandering and gossiping; strengthening ties of relations; and being of greater service to others.
TECH TIP
Introducing the Ramadan Legacy mobile app With Ramadan estimated to commence on June 18, 2015, millions of Muslims around the world are preparing for their annual ritual of devoting a month to worship Allah and fast from sunrise to sunset.
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amadan is a time for Muslims to take stock of how they are living and aim to increase their spirituality. However with fasts now lasting up to 18 hours long, Ramadan can be an enduring challenge for the mind and body. The Ramadan Legacy App provides a daily step-by-step guide for Muslims, a live stream of Ramadan experiences around the world, the ability to journal your daily experience and motivate your friends through sending positive notifications. The app aims to enhance your experience of Ramadan through combining smart technology and beautiful design with spirituality and learning, all to help you organise your worship to make Ramadan easy and enjoyable.
The idea for Ramadan Legacy came in 2014 where the founder, Shahbaz Mirza, launched an online book called the Ramadan Action Plan that had received tens of thousands of downloads. Shahbaz commented that, “In 2015, our challenge was to digitise a month that is over 1,400 years old and simplify Ramadan for Muslims across the world. Muslims are turning to their smartphones for guidance and connectivity. Ramadan Legacy provides an authentic and seamless way to enhance and capture your annual Ramadan experience.” The app is in full English and has been designed for teenagers to young adults and families. It is available for free on the Apple and Android Store. The app is also available as a free printable book version from the website www.ramadanlegacy.com.
Mobile App Features » The Ramadan app is centred on a Muslims experience of fasting in the holy month. » The app begins by asking you what your personal aspirations are for Ramadan and in turn the app will encourage you to achieve them through inspirational reminders. » It provides a daily step-by-step action plan, which allows the user to record their daily worshipping activities such as reading the Qur’an, their daily prayers and learning short authentic verses of Islamic knowledge to encourage learning on the go. » The app also features a knowledge library packed full of valuable guides allowing users to go through a learning experience if they have not experienced Ramadan before.
SUCCESS STORIES
Hoodwinked into marriage of convenience Coming to the UK to study was a dream come true for Sister Rahima. It signified a real shot at getting away from the poverty stricken, mundane life she was leading in rural Pakistan. Rahima’s family sent her to live with a family they knew in the UK, who they believed they could count. Although she only ever intended to travel for the purpose of study, this family encouraged Rahima to get married and suggested a suitor to her.
She had mixed feelings, but decided to go ahead and entered her marriage with an open mind. Rahima came to the UK on a valid student visa. Once she had got married however, her husband’s residency visa was not accepted. Things between them turned sour. By this time Rahima had become pregnant and her husband announced that he would be leaving her. Rahima found herself truly at the mercy of the family who had married her
off to this cruel man. They didn’t take the separation of the couple well and after the baby was born, things became increasingly difficult. One day, the family kept Rahima away from her child for over 24 hours as a punishment because the housework had not been completed. After much hesitation, Rahima called the police. Social Services made contact with Rahima and as she had a baby, she was
granted emergency accommodation. However, she had no recourse to public funds, having came here on a student visa, and Social Services contacted the National Zakat Foundation (NZF). NZF has done everything possible to help whilst Rahima’s future in this country remains undecided, by supporting her with a weekly stipend so that mother and baby do not go without food and shelter after their traumatising ordeal.
WWW.NZF.ORG.UK
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Part 1 Cash and liquid investments
Zakatable Assets • Cash and liquid investments are fully subject to Zakat. • You should include cash in all your bank accounts, in your wallet and under your mattress! • If interest has been earned on your liquid investments, then it should be given to charity and only the principal amount should be noted for Zakat purposes.
My total cash amount is: The value of my liquid assets minus interest is:
2 Gold and silver
• Gold and silver, in whichever form (jewellery, coin, ingots etc.) are subject to Zakat. The Hanafi school treats all gold and silver jewellery as Zakatable, regardless of whether it is worn or stored. • If you own personal use items made from a mixture of metals, these are only liable to Zakat if half or more of the metal is gold or silver, although some scholars hold that the proportion of gold or silver in any owned asset is Zakatable. • For your Zakat calculation, gold and silver can be valued at its resale value. This can be confirmed by consulting your local jeweller.
HOW D CALCU MY ZA
Download the full Zakat guide, submit a Zakat query or
The value of all the gold in my possession is: The value of all the silver in my possession is:
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Shares, unit trusts & equity investments
• If shares are purchased with the express intention for resale then the entire holding is subject to Zakat at current market value.
The total value of the Zakatable portion of my shares, unit trusts and equity investments is:
Property and other fixed assets
• Zakat is payable on strong debts, i.e. money that is owed to you that you are confident will be paid. • This may include personal loans to friends and family. • This does not include outstanding wages, dowry, inheritance or assets held in trust (other than assets held under a Bare Trust).
• If, however, shares are purchased as long-term investment to generate dividends, then Zakat is only due on the Zakatable assets of the firm. A realistic attempt must be made to calculate the percentage of the share holding relating to Zakatable assets. • Any dividends received should be added to one’s cash balance for Zakat purposes.
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6 Debts owed to you
The total amount of money I have lent to others that I am confident will be repaid to me is:
7 Business assets
• The house in which you live is not subject to Zakat.
• Business assets are subject to Zakat. • These include cash, finished goods, work in progress, raw materials and strong debts, i.e. money owed to the business that is likely to be received. • All business assets should be valued at their current market price. For finished goods, this should be their retail sale price. For unfinished goods, this should be whatever price you expect the unfinished good to fetch on your Zakat anniversary date.
• If a property or other fixed asset has been purchased with the express intent to resell, then the entire value of the property/asset is subject to Zakat. • If there is any other intention, then it is not subject to Zakat. • Any rental income from properties owned should be added to one’s cash balance for Zakat purposes.
My total cash amount is: The total value of my Zakatable property and other fixed assets is:
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Pension
• Zakat is payable in full on pensions received after retirement. • For monies set aside for pensions prior to retirement, Zakat is only payable if the pension assets are being invested on behalf of the pension holder and if there is a specific quantum of wealth attributed to the pension holder. This is the case in money purchase schemes but not in final salary schemes. The Zakat liability will then be determined by the nature of the investment (property or shares etc. as per points 3 and 4 above). Please note, if pension monies are able to be invested, care should be taken to invest in a shari’ah complaint investment.
The total value of the Zakatable portion of my pension is:
The total value of finished goods for sale is: The total value of work in progress and raw materials is: The total value of money owed to the business that I am confident will be repaid is:
My total Zakatable assets
=
£ Total
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WWW.NZF.ORG.UK
DO I ULATE AKAT?
Our calculator will allow you to easily work out your Zakat payment. You can also visit www.nzf.org.uk/ calculator to make your calculation online. Part A Deals with your Zakatable assets Part B Deals with your liabilities that can be deducted Part C Deals with the final calculation
r request a Callback via www.nzf.org.uk/calculator
Part 8
Personal liabilities
Liabilities • Certain liabilities can be deducted from your Zakatable assets. • These include outstanding or overdue living expenses such as rent payments, utility bills and debts. • For long-term debt, such as mortgages or student loans, the non-interest or principal portion only of the forthcoming lunar year’s worth of payments can be deducted for Zakat calculation purposes. • However, because repayment of such debt is not required immediately and because such a deduction may even prevent someone who is relatively wealthy from paying Zakat, you may choose not to subtract any part of your long-term debts from your calculation.
My outstanding or overdue basic living expenses that have not yet been paid for add up to: The forthcoming year’s non-interest portion of my long-term debt is: My personal debts add up to: Money that I owe to third parties for completed purchases adds up to: Outstanding dowry owed and intended to pay is:
9 Business liabilities
• Short-term is less than 12 lunar months, and long-term is more than 12 lunar months.
The total value of rent, bills and salaries outstanding or overdue is: The total value of outstanding short-term commercial loans is : The next year’s non-interest portion of long-term business debt is: The total value of goods purchased on credit is:
My total liabilities
=
£ Total
Final calculation
Part
My net Zakatable assets are £
A
-
£
B
=
£
So do I have to pay Zakat or not? Remember you only pay Zakat if your net assets equal or exceed the Nisab threshold. If you only have gold as an asset, then the Nisab measure for gold must be used. If, however, you have a mixture of assets, then the Nisab level for silver should be used. Although some scholars still maintain that gold should be used regardless, using silver is safer for the payer and more beneficial for the recipients of Zakat. Remember that the Nisab is either 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. To find out the current monetary equivalent of the Nisab limit, it is necessary to establish the market rate for a gram of gold and silver. This can be obtained from bullionbypost.co.uk
I have a mixture of assets. Today’s silver Nisab is:
£ Nisab
The approximate Nisab values as of June 2015 are £2,200 (gold) and £225 (silver) If your net assets exceed or equal the Nisab then Zakat is due on 2.5% of total net assets.
2.5%
2.5% of my total net assets is:
£ Zakat Due We ask you to consider donating your Zakat to those in need here in the UK. You can do this via www.nzf.org.uk/donate
Additional Notes • It is quite possible that your wealth may fluctuate above and below the level of Nisab during the year. If this is the case then Zakat is only due if wealth is in excess of the Nisab on your Zakat anniversary. Zakat is always paid on the assets owned on the Zakatable date, not on fluctuating amounts during the year or even an average amount. • It is permissible to prepay Zakat for future years. However, at the time of payment, the intention must clearly be for future years. In addition, a Zakat calculation should still be made on the Zakat anniversary to make sure that sufficient Zakat has been paid. • Missed Zakat payments for previous years must be paid as a matter of urgency. A realistic attempt must be made to calculate the Zakat due for each of the years missed. • Last but not least, don’t forget to intend specifically the giving of Zakat when you make your payment!
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PRAYER TIMETABLE
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WWW.NZF.ORG.UK
PROVIDING AID
Helping the needy at home and abroad Ibn Rajab says: ‘Many in whom attentiveness in fulfilling the rights of God predominate, and who are devoted to God’s love, fear and obedience, either totally neglect the rights of creation, or fall short with respect to them.’ By Abu Aaliyah
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akat, a word which signifies growth, blessings and also purification, is that type of spending which the Qur’an deems mandatory on all Muslims who possess surplus financial means at their disposal. One must not overlook Zakat’s all important social function. Islam’s vision of society is rooted in the idea of compassion, service and responsibility; and nowhere is this better seen than in the giving and dispensing of Zakat. The “haves” of the society are to help lift the burden of the “have nots” in the spirit of service and brotherhood. Zakat is, only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect it, and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for the ransom of captives, and the debtors, and in the path of God, and the wayfarers. This is an obligation from God, and God is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [9:60] Zakat is to be disbursed to the eight sectors, or categories, mentioned in the above verse. In a foundational hadith on the subject we read that the Prophet ﷺ, when sending Mu‘adh to Yemen, instructed him: ‘O Mu‘adh, you are going to a people who are of the People of the Book, so first invite them to bear witness that none deserves to be worshiped except God, and that
Muhammad is the Messenger of God. If they accept this, then inform them that God enjoins on them five prayers in a day and a night. If they accept this, then inform them that God obligates charity [i.e. Zakat] upon them; to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.’ Based on the words: “to be taken from their rich and given to their poor,” jurists from the four Sunni schools of law, or madhhabs, say that Zakat, as a rule of thumb, is to be distributed locally where possible. The Hanbali school stipulates: ‘It is preferred to disburse all of the Zakat to the poor of his locality. The Shafi’i madhhab lays down: ‘If the [eight] categories are found in the place where Zakat is collected, it is prohibited and invalid to transfer the Zakat elsewhere. The Malikis hold that transfering Zakat is impermissible, except if there is a pressing need to do so. The Hanafi school is more conciliatory on the subject, stipulating, ‘It is disapproved to transfer Zakat of one land to another; unless he transfers it to his poor relatives, or to a people needier than his own.’ In short: what this tells us is that the poor and needy of a city have greater claim over local Zakat than the poor or needy elsewhere –
accepting that scholars permit sending it abroad for pressing reasons. There are a growing number of poor and needy Muslim households in the UK who would qualify for Zakat. It is true that their need is likely to not be as acute as those in certain other povertyravished places in the world. Nevertheless, their relative poverty, in terms of not having enough money for certain basic necessities – like food, heating, medicines, or paying rent – would entitle them to Zakat. Those who could enter into the category of the poor (fuqara) and the needy (masakin) are: struggling single parent families, asylum seekers, refugees, and anyone else whose net assets (after one excludes assets for basic essentials like a house, car, furniture, etc; and after deducting basic living expenses and debts owed) are less than the nisab value. This could also include prisoners; and even more so, families of prisoners, who often have very little or no financial support. Then there are the mu’allafat al-qulub – “those whose hearts need reconciling.” These recipients can include: recent converts to Islam who are alienated from their families, or whose faith needs strengthening; or recently released prisoners
struggling to make ends meet and about whom it is feared will reoffend. There is also the category of the gharimun: “those burdened with debts” contracted in good faith, which they subsequently cannot repay. Of course, we’re not talking about those who’ve racked up debts due to conspicuous consumption, spending and living beyond their means, or through gambling and other haram indulgences. Instead, we are talking about people who, for instance, and through no fault or irresponsibility of their own, have fallen into rents arrears and are on the verge of eviction. Or, where a family whose bread winner has been made redundant, and find themselves in arrears with domestic utility bills, to the extent where the gas or electricity supply is going to be cut-off. Having a social conscience with respect to Britain’s needy and vulnerable Muslims is in no way to ignore the poverty, starvation and persecution which afflicts millions of Muslims in other parts of the globe. British Muslims will have to learn to discharge their duties to both. We need to think the issue of how best to deploy our Zakat; of how best to help restore dignity to the needy and the impoverished without neglecting the growing number of poor and needy Muslims in Britain today.
SUCCESS STORIES
Life after Saddam Whilst the dictatorship came to an end over 10 years ago, some are still healing from the trauma, and are struggling to piece their lives back together.
Ali Mahmood came to reside in the UK in 2010. Although he gained emancipation, he also left behind that which was very dear to him: his homeland, his wealth and even his health. He arrived in the UK with a missing finger and a crippled leg. As a single parent he was under pressure to earn an income, with teenage sons aged 16 and over,
who did not qualify for Child Benefit, nor did they have the skills and experience necessary to gain employment in the UK. Ali sought financial support from his local mosque. Unfortunately they only collected funds for masjid maintenance, and didn’t have any means to support people in hardship like Ali. The mosque could see that Ali was in desperate
need and referred him to National Zakat Foundation (NZF) who received his application just in time. Ali has since been given much needed food vouchers to enable him to eat, and was supported with help and guidance from NZF to apply for an energy grant so that he no longer has to choose between heating and feeding his family.
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Who receives Zakat? The Qur’an (9:60) specifies eight categories for the distribution of Zakat:
1. THE POOR
2. THE NEEDY
3. THOSE EMPLOYED TO ADMINISTER ZAKAT
ADVERTORIAL
Paying Zakat into your local Al Rayan Bank branch Paying your Zakat can be done safely and conveniently by visiting your local Al Rayan Bank this Ramadan.
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e understand that every time you give, you want to feel confident that you can trust where your money is going. Al Rayan has teamed up with National Zakat Foundation to deliver a local collection and distribution service for Zakat, enabling you to fulfill your third pillar with ease. What’s more, you need not be an Al Rayan Bank customer to make use of this service – it’s accessible to everyone! Simply visit your local branch to pay your Zakat in directly to counter staff who will transfer your money without incurring an administration fee. Your Zakat will go directly to those in need. Whether you’re making a one-off payment or setting up a Direct Debit to pay your Zakat in installments, Al Rayan Bank are here to help. Visit your local branch today.
Al Rayan Bank branches 4. THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE TO BE RECONCILED
5. THOSE IN SLAVERY
London Whitechapel 97-99 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DT
London Edgware Road 77-79 Edgware Road, W2 2HZ
Birmingham
Leicester
Manchester
394 Coventry Road, Small Heath B10 0UF
Al Rayan Bank Leicester, 94a London Road, LE2 0QS
Al Rayan Bank Manchester, 601 Stockport Road, M13 0RX
SUCCESS STORY 6. THOSE IN DEBT
7. IN THE WAY OF ALLAH
8. THE DESTITUTE TRAVELLER
Prison break Zain was in debt. Instead of returning to drugs to make money, he approached the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) and appealed to them for help.
Zain like so many young men, was exposed to the wrong crowd growing up. Whilst some of us have role models and elders to bring us into line, Zain’s big brothers introduced him to drug dealing. Zain was eventually caught by the police and was imprisoned. Throughout his sentence, Zain was visited by his parents who would cry tears of anguish every time they saw him. This affected Zain deeply and he knew that he had to change. Without the right support services however
this would be very difficult. When Zain was released, it didn’t take long before he was caught again with the possession of drugs and he returned to prison. After serving his second sentence, Zain was issued with a hefty Confiscation Order by the courts. This meant that upon his release, Zain was in debt. Instead of returning to drugs to make money, he approached the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) and appealed to them for help. He didn’t want to ask his family,
as they were already in debt. Zain’s employer agreed to be his referee and guarantor. NZF provided Zain with a loan to pay off his Confiscation Order. Without this, the courts would have sent him back to prison, or worse, he would have returned to crime as the only option that seems to be available to young ex offenders like Zain. Since then, Zain has maintained full time employment and is working with youth groups in his own community, to stop others from falling into the same traps.
Calculate and pay your Zakat now at www.nzf.org.uk