Zakat through a charity
Giving zakat through a zakat charity
A charity passes your zakat on for you. Here is how to know it reaches the people zakat is for.
What a zakat charity does
A zakat charity collects zakat and passes it to people who may receive it, keeping it apart from other gifts.
Your part is to choose one whose zakat policy is clear, and to make your intention as you give (Sahih al-Bukhari 1).
You can calculate your zakat on cash, gold and savings before you choose where it goes.
Giving zakat through a zakat charity in four steps
- Work out what you owe with a calculator such as How Much Zakat.
- Check the charity on its official register.
- Read its zakat policy: a separate fund, and who receives it.
- Give, marked as zakat, and keep the receipt.
What to look for
A separate zakat fund
Zakat kept apart, so it is spent only on those who may receive it.
Named recipients
Which of the eight groups it serves (Quran 9:60).
Clear costs
Whether any running costs come from zakat, and how much.
Reports
Where your zakat went, and when.
Questions about giving to a zakat charity
Can any charity take my zakat?
Only one that keeps zakat apart and passes it to those named in Quran 9:60. A general fund that pays for buildings or campaigns is not where zakat goes.
Does a zakat charity take a share for its costs?
Some cover costs from other funds; some use the share of those who collect zakat, one of the eight groups (Quran 9:60). The policy should say which.
Is giving through a charity as valid as giving directly?
Yes, as long as it reaches people who may receive it. See directly or through a charity.
Where can I check a charity in general?
Muslim Charity Organizations goes through the registers, accounts and red flags.