Are the People of Palestine Valid Recipients of Zakat?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I’m paying zakat, but because I owe some zakats for past years I’m paying bit by bit. I wanted to ask if I can pay zakat to the people of Palestine during this horrific situation? Will it be counted as zakat? I went on a Zakat platform called “Launchgood” and found a “Zakat-verified campaign” for urgent appeal in Gaza, and paid some money intending to give some Zakat.
Is this okay?

Answer

Yes, the is a valid avenue for the payment of zakat. Helping those in dire need, such as the people of Palestine at this time, is highly encouraged in the Shari’a. Any other aid or help you can offer – especially supplication – is also pleasing to Allah.

We ask Allah to protect and help them in the way He can. Amin.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.