Zakāh is a foundational pillar of Islam, considered integral to the foundation of Islamic civilization to such an extent that the first Caliph Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه waged wars against those who rejected giving zakāh. It is a grave mistake to consider zakāh as merely another form of charity; zakāh is an institution and a system, unlike Sadaqah, which is a form of spontaneous charity. The lack of transparency in zakāh allocation is dire, an issue plaguing many popular Muslim-American non-profit and advocacy organizations. Continue reading Ensuring Economic Justice: The Imperative of Transparency and Accountability in Zakāh Distribution