Zakat Charity Guide Who receives zakat, and how to check a charity’s zakat policy

On someone’s behalf

Paying someone else’s zakat through a zakat charity

You can pay a relative’s zakat for them, with their knowledge.

Paying someone else’s zakat

Zakat is owed by the person whose wealth it is, so paying it for them needs their knowledge and agreement, so the intention is there (Sahih al-Bukhari 1).

DonateOpenly’s guide to paying zakat in 2027 follows each pound from you to the people it reaches. See the top 10 Muslim charities in the UK by DonateOpenly’s score.

Paying for a relative through a zakat charity

  1. Agree it with them first, and the amount.
  2. Give in their name if the charity allows it.
  3. Keep each person’s record apart, yours and theirs.

Common cases

A spouse

Each spouse’s zakat is on their own wealth; one can pay for the other with agreement.

Children with savings

The schools differ on a child’s wealth; ask your scholar first.

Someone who has died

Whether zakat they still owed comes from their estate is answered differently by the schools; ask a scholar.