Why this glossary matters
Understanding key terms helps donors and campaign organizers make informed, respectful decisions when giving.
Glossary
- Lillah
- Literally means "for Allah". In practice, it refers specifically to monetary charity given purely for Allah's sake, without expecting anything in return. It is often used to distinguish from other types of giving like Zakat. Typically implies donations to causes (e.g., mosques, schools, the poor) that are not restricted by Zakat rules.
- Sadaqa
- A broad term for any voluntary charity given for the sake of Allah. It can be money, food, help, kindness, or even something as simple as a smile. It includes both material and non-material acts. It is highly encouraged in Islam and can be given anytime, to anyone in need.
- Zakat
- Zakat (also spelt Jakat) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam alongside declaration of faith, prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca. It is a mandatory charitable giving in Islam that all financially able Muslims must pay annually. Typically, the amount is 2.5% of one's accumulated wealth above a minimum threshold (called nisab) in a year. Zakat means "purification" or "growth" in Arabic - it's seen as purifying one's wealth and helping it grow spiritually. It is intended to support specific categories of people in need, including the poor, those in debt, travellers, and others. The purpose of Zakat is both spiritual (purifying wealth, expressing gratitude to God) and social (redistributing wealth, supporting community welfare, reducing economic inequality).
- Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr (also known as Zakat al-Fitrah, or Fitrana) is a special mandatory charity given at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid ul-Fitr prayer. It is distinct from regular Zakat (which is 2.5% of accumulated wealth) and serves specific purposes related to the completion of fasting. Though it can be paid earlier, but must be given between sunset on the last day of Ramadan and before the Eid prayer on the following morning. The amount Zakat al-Fitr is fixed for everyone regardless of income - traditionally one sa' (approximately 2.6-3 kg) of staple food per family member. Common foods include dates, barley, raisins, wheat, or rice. Many scholars today permit paying the monetary equivalent.
The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr:
- To purify any shortcomings in one's fasting during Ramadan
- To enable poor Muslims to celebrate Eid with dignity by having food for the festival
- To shield fasting people from indecent speech or actions
- To foster community bonds by ensuring everyone can participate in the Eid celebration
The recipients of Zakat al-Fitr include poor, needy, those in debt, travellers, etc. The name combines "Zakat" (purification/charity) with "Fitr" (breaking the fast), making it "the charity of breaking the fast" - a fitting conclusion to the month of spiritual purification and self-discipline.
Additional Terms
- Kaffarah
- Kaffarah is an Islamic concept of atonement or expiation - a prescribed act of worship or penalty intended to "cover" or erase sins and obtain divine forgiveness for specific violations.
- Gift Aid
- Gift Aid is a UK tax relief scheme that enables charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) to claim an extra 25% from the government on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer, at no additional cost to the donor.
- Qurbani
- Qurbani is the Islamic practice of sacrificing specific livestock animals during Eid al-Adha to commemorate Prophet Abraham's (Ibrahim's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as an act of obedience to God, and God's provision of a ram as a substitute. Qurbani can be performed personally or through organizations. Many Muslims in non-Muslim countries donate to have sacrifice performed in Muslim-majority countries. Meat distributed to poor communities locally or internationally.
- SMART
- SMART is a framework for setting clear, effective goals. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. A Specific goal is clear and focused—you know exactly what you're aiming for. Measurable means you can track progress and know when you've succeeded. Achievable ensures the goal is realistic given your resources and constraints. Relevant connects the goal to your larger purpose or strategy. Time-bound sets a deadline, creating urgency and a clear timeframe for completion.
- Outputs
- Outputs are the direct, tangible deliverables your project produces—the classrooms built, the software developed, the training sessions delivered. They're what you can count and verify immediately.
- Outcomes
- Outcomes are the changes that happen because people use those outputs—better test scores after the training, faster processes with the new software, improved health after receiving care. They show the difference your work made in the short to medium term.
- Impact
- Impact is the long-term, broader change your outcomes contribute to—reduced poverty from better education, transformed business competitiveness, sustained community health improvement. It's the lasting difference that often involves many factors beyond your project alone.
Key difference
Sadaqah is the broad concept of voluntary charity (actions and kindness included).
Lillah is typically used for financial giving done solely for Allah.
All Lillah is Sadaqah, but not all Sadaqah is called Lillah.