Zakat is the third of the obligatory five pillars of Islam and also an act of worship. It literally means “to purify.” By donating a small portion of his wealth to the needy, a Muslim’s wealth is purified.

Zakat is not only a means of purifying one’s wealth, but also a spiritual purification that serves as a means to bring a person closer to God. It is taken from the “rich” of society and given to the “poor”.

More wisdom behind zakat:

– Zakat purifies the giver, for he is thus freed from avarice and greed.

– Zakat brings great joy to the giver as well as the receiver.

– Zakat “extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire” (Tirmidhi).

And the best part is:

– Zakat does not diminish wealth, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “No alms diminishes wealth” (Muslim).

All Muslim adults who are mentally healthy and have the nisab (i.e., the minimum amount of property held for one year) are obligated to pay zakat according to Islam.

The Nisab is 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. To calculate the amount in francs, the 85 grams must be multiplied by the current price per gram for gold. According to some Hanafi scholars, the Nisab is calculated based on the value of silver.

Sample calculation Nisab (gold):

85 grams * gold price 55.44 CHF (11/16/20) = 4,712.4 CHF.

Example calculation Nisab (silver):

595 grams * silver price 0.73 CHF (16.11.20) = 434.35 CHF

This means from the moment a person’s wealth exceeds 4,712.4 CHF and holds it for one year, that person must make Zakat on his wealth that he holds after one year.

According to the price of silver, the Nisab in this case would be 434.35 CHF.

Tip: If you decide for the calculation according to the silver price, you can already “clean” your assets with a smaller amount by the Zakat and is at the same time on the “safe side”.

The zakat is 2.5% of the net assets owned by a person on the cut-off date. The due date is first 1 lunar year after the date on which the Nisab is reached for the first time, and thereafter annually on that date, as long as the Nisab is not fallen short of.

For a detailed calculation of your zakat net worth, please make an appointment with the imam you trust.

Tip: The Zakat calculators, which can be found on the Internet, do not take into account your individual situation. We recommend to calculate the exact Zakat together with an expert or simply round up generously so that you take into account all assets that could be liable to Zakat.

Zakat is used at Swiss Barakah Charity for the first three Zakat beneficiary groups of the poor, needy and as well as those involved in the distribution of Zakat. (Compare Surah Tauba verse 60)

Zakat eligible programs for the poor and needy are promoted and thus zakat helps in emergency and development projects. Zakat is used where Swiss Barakah currently sees the greatest need and benefit!

As part of our multicultural identity, we offer Muslim communities the opportunity to fulfill their religious obligations, participate in the celebrations of Eid Al-Adha and bring joy to needy families during this Kurban/Udhiyah period. For every 85 francs you donate, Swiss Barakah Charity gives your Kurban with fresh meat in the poorest countries of the world, because people there need it the most and because they often cannot eat meat for a whole year.

We will make sure that your sacrifice is performed in the proper Islamic manner and at the proper time. Rest assured that we use only the healthiest Kurban animals (sheep, goats or cattle) and deliver the fresh meat directly to those who need it most. Since the one-time delivery of fresh meat only supports these families for a limited time, we offer you the opportunity to help them sustainably by providing them with hardy and durable livestock in the form of goats. Goats: a sustainable option that gives long after Eid al-Adha. Goats can be raised and sold to help families put food on the table, provide critical income in emergencies, and fund children’s education. By helping families develop a herd, help these families ensure their long-term economic stability and build stronger communities. For 250.- your gift of two adult goats (male and female) can help sustain a family beyond the kurban season and build a brighter, more economical and secure future for tomorrow.

Prophet Muhammad was once asked, “What is Kurban (or Udhiyah)?” the Prophet replied, “It is the tradition of your father Ibrahim. For every hair of kurban (sacrifice), you receive a reward from God (Allah).” According to Islamic tradition, the practice of sacrifice can be traced back to Prophet Ibrahim, who dreamed that God commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail.

The days of Qurban are the 10th, 11th and 12th of the month of Dhul Hijjah in the lunar calender. Prophet Muhammad said, “The first thing we do on the day of Eid is to perform the prayers. Then we go home and perform our kurban (sacrifice). So for those who perform these deeds, they have followed our tradition. And for those who slaughtered before that, the meat is for the family members and not as an act of qurban.” You can order your Kurban with Swiss Barakah Charity anytime before Eid.

Qurbani is performed by Swiss Barakah Charity from the 10th of Dhull Hijja after Eid Khutba until sunset on the 12th of Dhull Hijja (3 days). We stop taking donations at midnight on the 11th of Dhull Hijja. According to the Hanafis, Kurban is a Waajib for every adult Muslim. However, the other schools of Islamic jurisprudence consider it a Sunnah. Kurban is made every year on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Kurban can be performed in the name of another person. It is permissible to give Qurban in the name of the Prophet saw or another deceased Muslim.

A kurban is 1/7 of a large cow (cow, ox, water buffalo) or camel, or a whole sheep or goat.

To be accepted as Kurban, animals must be slaughtered in the appropriate Islamic manner (Halal). Swiss Barakah Charity selects animals based on the Sunnah requirements: The animal should be selected from a healthy herd with no visible defects. Sheep and goats must be at least one year old and are considered 1 Kurban. Cattle must be at least two years old and are considered 7 kurban. Camels must be at least five years old and count as 7 kurban. Animals should not be blinded, emaciated (sick), toothless or with broken limbs, preferably ears and tail should be whole, but no need.

Sharpening the knife before the animal is slaughtered. Care is taken that the animal is slaughtered with the correct knife. Feed the animal, give the animal water and calm the animal, show kindness and mercy to the animal. Ensure that the slaughter area is clean and free of live animals. Make arrangements for blood drainage, fly control, and general cleanliness. Guide the animal humanely to slaughter. Do not perform the slaughter process in front of other live animals. Adhere to strict sanitation procedures.

According to Islamic law, the legal purification of the meat of animals requires that the following conditions are met: Making the intention. Recite the name of God (Tasmiyah) while slaughtering the animal (preferably aloud). Skinning the animal should not begin until the animal stops kicking. Separate meat and offal as soon as possible, keep clean and cool.

We perform the kurban mainly in the poorest countries of the world. These countries include, Malawi, Somalia, Benin, etc.(this list is not exhaustive). Specific requests for Kurban in other regions can be considered for interested parties.

The availability of animals and local preferences determine which animals are slaughtered, so it is not possible to specify.

Islamically, it is preferred to divide the meat into three parts. One part for personal consumption, one part for relatives and one part for the poor and needy (preferably Muslims). Since we perform the kurban on your behalf, we distribute 100% of the meat to the needy. We do not give meat and skin for payment. The hides(leather) will be distributed to those who need them. Give the meat you want to receive and eat yourself. We make sure that there is no waste.

All of the fresh Kurban meat benefits local poor and needy families so that they can participate in the Eid celebration. The Kurban meat is either distributed so that families can prepare a hot, nutritious meal for Eid, or our local teams organize community meals where we prepare and cook hot, nutritious meals for needy people in the region.

Absolutely! You can give kurban in the name of someone else, including a deceased friend or relative. You can also give kurban in the name of the Prophet, but this must be in addition to your own kurban.

During this time, Islamic tradition requires that you should not cut hair or nails or remove any part of the skin.

We will stop accepting kurban donations after the second day of the Eid.

One Kurbani helps at least 30 people once.

No, kurban is a separate obligation.

We will send a receipt to confirm the donation, but we cannot provide notification when individual kurbans have been completed due to logistical complexity.

Yes, Swiss Barakah Charity is a tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of Swiss law. We will automatically send a donation receipt after the end of the year!

Make sure that you inform us about changes of address etc. 😉