Why Do Some Muslims Give Zakat In Ramadan?

Blessings from good deeds done in Ramadan are multiplied many times over. Praying and giving to charity, then, are rewarded more during Ramadan.

Although zakat is not necessarily due in Islam’s holiest month, many prefer to designate it as the time each year to make their payments.

Most of the world functions on the Gregorian calendar, so it’s not uncommon for Muslims to forget or lose track of which month it is in the Hijri calendar. Particularly blessed times for spiritual practice make it easier to keep track of certain months, like Ashura in Muharram, fasting in Shaban, fasting and giving to charity in Ramadan, celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Shawwal, and performing Hajj and/or celebrating Eid al-Adha in Dhul-Hijjah.

For many Muslims who don’t live in Muslim-majority countries, it’s easier to remember to pay zakat during Ramadan. Zakat is due when one has had full ownership over zakatable wealth for 12 Hijri months. (Read here for more details about when zakat is due.)

But Ramadan’s vast blessings give plenty of incentive for Muslims to pay their zakat and as much sadaqah as they can during the holy month. Ibn Abbas even said that God’s messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, was the most generous of men, and he was as generous as possible in Ramadan. The angel Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan, and the Prophet would go over the Quran with him (Bukhari and Muslim).

And beyond that, Muslims yearn for Laylatul Qadr’s blessings. As stated in the Quran, Laylatul Qadr is greater than 1,000 months.

“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months” (Quran 97:3).

This night, which the Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, directed Muslims to seek in Ramadan’s last 10 nights, is a time Muslims try their best to pray as much as possible — more even than the rest of Ramadan’s nights, when Muslims are already inclined to pray more than they usually do throughout the year.

The Quran, though, mentions prayer and giving charity as connected deeds for those who believe.

“And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah, of what you do, is Seeing” (Quran 2:110.

Surely, if praying is rewarded more on this night, and praying is tied to giving charity, then giving charity is rewarded more on this night, too. With Ramadan 2022 coming up soon, it’s important to know when and where to give zakat and sadaqah.

Unlike sadaqah, only certain groups of people are eligible to receive zakat. Trusted organizations like Zakat Foundation of America ensure all zakat donations are handled in accordance with Islamic law, domestic regulations, and dignity for those receiving zakat.