Money, family and generosity

Money is part of family life, and generosity is part of a good life. Talking openly about money and planning your giving helps you make thoughtful choices and support causes you care about.

Talking about money at home

• The CFPB notes that 'when you talk to them is less important than how you talk to them', so choose a calm, comfortable moment rather than a rushed or tense one.
• Everyday events make good starting points: a family purchase, paying bills, planning a trip or choosing a phone plan.
• Useful questions to ask a parent or guardian: How do you decide what to save? What money mistake taught you the most? What will be expected of me at university?
• Agree clearly what your allowance covers, what your family will pay for and what you will pay for yourself.
• Respect privacy. Some families prefer not to share exact salaries or savings, and that is fine.

Being honest about money problems

• If you have overspent, owe a friend money or been caught by a scam, tell a trusted adult early. Problems usually get bigger when hidden.
• Bring a plan: what happened, how much, and how you will fix it.
• If friends regularly expect you to pay for them, it is fine to say 'That is not in my budget this month.'
• Lending money to friends can strain friendships. Only lend what you could afford to lose, or offer help another way.

Zakat and sadaqa: the concepts

• In Islam, zakat is an obligatory annual payment and one of the five pillars, given to those in need. Sadaqa is voluntary charity that can be given at any time and in any amount.
• Zakat Al Mal is set at 2.5 per cent of qualifying wealth, for adult Muslims whose wealth has stayed above a minimum threshold (nisab) for a full lunar year, according to Gulf News.
• The nisab is linked to the value of 87.48 g of gold or 612.36 g of silver, so its value in dirhams changes with market prices. Personal items such as clothes, furniture and your main home are not included.
• Example for illustration: qualifying savings of AED 20,000 held above the nisab for a full lunar year would mean zakat of 2.5 per cent, AED 500.
• Zakat Al Fitr is a separate, smaller payment per person made before the Eid Al Fitr prayer. Gulf News describes it as typically about 2.5 kg of rice or its cash value; check the current official guidance each year.
• For your own situation, consult a qualified scholar or an official zakat authority. This lesson explains concepts only.

Giving safely in the UAE

• The UAE has an official Zakat Fund, which provides a regulated way of paying zakat that reaches people in need.
• Gulf News reports a National Zakat Platform launched in February 2026, where donors can choose campaigns and pay online.
• Under Federal Law No. 3 of 2021, fundraising is limited to licensed charitable and humanitarian organisations, and u.ae states that individuals are not allowed to host, organise or carry out fundraising.
• Be careful with donation appeals on social media from individuals. Give through licensed charities or official platforms instead.

Building giving into your budget

• Choose a giving percentage that feels right, for example 5 per cent. On an AED 800 allowance, that is AED 40 a month.
• Treat it like savings: set it aside when money arrives, so it does not depend on what is left.
• Pick causes you understand, and research how the charity uses donations.
• Generosity is not only money: volunteering your time and skills is valuable too.