Zakat & Charity: How UK Mosques Help Locals
Charity is a central pillar of Islam. In fact, British Muslims are consistently found to be the most generous charitable donors in the UK by religious group. This giving is driven by two concepts: Zakat (obligatory 2.5% annual tax on wealth) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity).
But where does this money go?
The Global vs. The Local
For a long time, the focus of UK Muslim charity was international—sending money 'back home' or to conflict zones like Syria, Palestine, or Yemen. While this remains vital, there has been a massive shift in the last decade towards local action.
Mosques have realised that "charity starts at home" means looking after the hungry family down the street in Birmingham, Bradford, or Brixton.
Zakat in Action locally
National Zakat Foundation (NZF): This organisation revolutionised the game by focusing 100% on collecting Zakat in the UK to distribute it in the UK. They support:
- Homeless Muslims.
- Single mothers struggling with rent.
- Students needing scholarships.
Mosque Food Banks: As mentioned in our "Community Hubs" article, mosques are frontline providers of food aid. This is open to everyone—Christian, Atheist, Jewish, or Muslim. Hunger has no religion.
Winter Warmth Campaigns: Mosques often partner with local councils to provide "warm banks"—heated spaces where elderly people can come during the day to save on heating bills, enjoy a hot meal, and have some company.
The "Sadaqah Jariyah" of Infrastructure
Donating to build or maintain a mosque is considered Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). As long as people pray there, the donor gets a reward. This spiritual incentive drives millions of pounds of private investment into community infrastructure—libraries, sports halls, and funeral services—that essentially serves the public good without costing the taxpayer a penny.
Conclusion
The giving nature of the Muslim community is a powerful economic engine for social welfare in the UK. Through Zakat and Sadaqah, wealth is purified and communities are uplifted, proving that faith can be a powerful force for financial justice.