1. What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqa?

a. Zaka is obligatory while Sadaqa is supererogatory or voluntary. The money for the purpose of zaka can be taken by force by the authorities while for Sadaqa, this is not the case.

b. Zaka must be managed by a central authority while Sadaqa may be given individually or through authorities

c. Sadaqa is usually for exigencies or a sudden unforeseen crisis while Zaka is a continuous program aimed at providing the resources for the physical and personal development of the people.

d. For Zaka, no categories of people have been mentioned in the Quran to whom it is for. [it is for the general physical and personal development of all]. For sadaqa, the categories of people whom it is for is mentioned.

e. In a bid to establish an economic system based upon the Quranic teachings, Sadaqa may be a measure much prevalent in the transitory stage while Zakaat will be the main hallmark of the maturity of such a system when all will be provided what they need for their physical and personal development.

f. To affect Zaka, an Islamic authority may levy fixed taxes of different sorts changeable according to the economic state of the nation but for Sadaqa, there is no fixed amount.