Zakat and Tithing

The Prophet (saws) said, "Spend on charity, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you."

The Sufi opens his hands to the Universe and gives away each instant, free. Unlike someone who begs on the street for money to survive, A Dervish begs to give you his life.
- Rumi (by way of Coleman Barks)

J. D. Rockefeller, one of the great American self-made millionaires, practiced tithing (giving a portion of his income over to the service of God) from childhood. This was one of the things that he attributed his success to.

For all Muslims, zakat, or charity, is part of our contract with Allah. We are given this obligation as a way of learning to pass away from the greed and covetousness of the nafs. Zakat, when practiced correctly, also helps to develop compassion for all life.

Beyond zakat, the Dervishes of the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa also practice tithing. This is most often done by giving a small sum of money each month for help with the maintenance of the Tariqa. We also donate time and money to help with the various charitable projects that the Qadiri Rifai order has undertaken, such as our orphanage project.

We, who participate in this practice, have found that Allah's promise in the above Hadith to be very true. The more we rely only on Allah for our support the more Allah supports us.

You can give with your tax deductible money, with your labor or both. These are some of the projects your tithing provides and supports:

• The daily operation of the Order.
• The publication of newsletters, journals and books.
• Savings toward a school, a retreat center, and a cemetary.
• Travel to spread the message.
• Scholarships to study abroad for the spiritual education of murids.

There are two kinds of zakat: Zakat'el fitr is zakat for your life and your family. Everyone who is not poor must pay $10 per person from his or her household. Zakat'el mal is zakat of your earnings and property. Although it may be necessary to go to an imam or a shaykh to figure this zakat, very simply stated Zakat'el mal is one fortieth of your total income minus your basic needs like rent and food. An example is, if you make $40,000 and you can live on $30,000, then you pay $250 of the remaining $10,000.

May Allah be pleased with you.

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