Bank Details Bank: Cashplus. Acc Name: Global Aid Trust Limited. Sort Code: 08-71-99. Acc Number: 06735003.

Zakat: Give with Confidence

Learn what Zakat is, who it is for, and which of our projects are Zakat eligible. When you are ready to donate, give through our Zakat Fund and choose the project or area of need you would like to support.

LEARN ABOUT ZAKAT GIVE YOUR ZAKAT

ON THIS PAGE

What is Zakat? Why does Zakat matter? Who may need to pay? Who can receive Zakat? How we handle Zakat Project eligibility guide Common Zakat topics Give through our Zakat Fund Frequently asked questions

GIVE WITH CLARITY

ZAKAT WITH KNOWLEDGE, CARE AND CONFIDENCE

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a sacred obligation upon eligible Muslims. It is not simply general charity. It is an act of worship with clear rules, clear recipients, and a clear purpose.

This page has been created to help you understand the basics of Zakat, learn how it should be handled, and see which of our projects may be supported through Zakat.

When you are ready to donate, you can give through our Zakat Fund and select from the available Zakat-eligible options in one place.

LEARN FIRST. GIVE WITH CONFIDENCE

Understand the purpose of Zakat and see which causes are eligible before making your donation.

IN SIMPLE TERMS

Zakat is a compulsory form of giving for eligible Muslims and must be distributed in a valid and responsible way.

PLEASE NOTE

This page is designed as a general guide and information hub. Personal Zakat calculations and detailed rulings should be confirmed with appropriate scholarly guidance where needed.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Zakat has specific rules
Not every cause is Zakat eligible
Eligible projects should be clearly identified
Non-Zakat causes should remain separate

WHAT IS ZAKAT?

Zakat is an obligatory act of worship due on qualifying wealth owned by eligible Muslims. It is a duty that must be fulfilled correctly and given to those who are entitled to receive it.

More than a yearly payment, Zakat is a means of purification, responsibility, and mercy. It helps relieve hardship, supports vulnerable people, and reminds us that wealth is a trust.

WHY DOES ZAKAT MATTER?

Zakat is not only about giving money. It is about fulfilling an obligation while caring for those in need within the wider community.

When given properly, Zakat can help ease poverty, reduce hardship, support dignity, and bring meaningful relief to people facing serious financial difficulty. It is both a personal duty and a source of communal benefit.

WHO MAY NEED TO PAY ZAKAT?

Zakat becomes due on an eligible Muslim whose qualifying wealth reaches the nisab threshold and remains above it for one lunar year.

Depending on a person’s situation, this may include savings, gold, silver, business assets, shares, and certain other forms of wealth. Not every asset is zakatable, and not every Muslim will owe Zakat.

If your situation includes more detailed matters such as investments, pensions, debts, property, or business holdings, it is wise to seek qualified advice before calculating what you owe.

WHO CAN RECEIVE ZAKAT?

Zakat can only be given to eligible recipients. It is not a general-purpose donation and cannot be used for every charitable activity.

In practical terms, this often means supporting individuals and families facing poverty, severe hardship, debt, or serious financial need.

Because of this, Zakat must always be handled with care and directed in a way that is valid, thoughtful, and responsible.

WHY CAREFUL ALLOCATION MATTERS

Not every cause is Zakat eligible
Not every appeal can be funded through Zakat
Zakat should be directed to valid areas of need
Clear donor guidance is important

HOW WE HANDLE ZAKAT

We want donors to give with clarity and confidence. That means treating Zakat with care and keeping eligibility clear.

CLEARLY IDENTIFIED

Only Zakat-eligible causes should appear within the Zakat Fund.

CAREFULLY ALLOCATED

Zakat donations are directed toward valid areas of need and handled responsibly.

KEPT SEPARATE

Projects that are not Zakat eligible should remain separate from Zakat giving.

DONOR CLARITY

Donors should be able to understand where Zakat may be used and where it should not be used.

ZAKAT PROJECT ELIGIBILITY GUIDE

Below is a general guide to help you understand which types of projects may be supported through Zakat. Some causes are clearly eligible, while others depend on how support is delivered and whether the recipient qualifies.

CLEARLY ZAKAT ELIGIBLE

Medical Treatment

Support for eligible patients facing genuine hardship and urgent need for essential care.

Emergency Relief

Support for vulnerable individuals and families experiencing immediate hardship and crisis.

Food Support

Food aid may be supported through Zakat where it is given to eligible recipients.

MAY BE ZAKAT ELIGIBLE IN CERTAIN CASES

Sponsor a Student

This may be valid where the recipient is eligible and the support meets the required conditions.

Housing Support

This may be valid where support directly benefits recipients who qualify for Zakat.

Water Support

This should be treated carefully and may depend on structure, delivery, and recipient eligibility.

NOT ZAKAT ELIGIBLE

Masjid Building

Masjid construction should be funded through Sadaqah, Lillah, and other non-Zakat donations.

General Infrastructure

Projects that do not validly transfer benefit to eligible recipients should not be funded through Zakat.

COMMON ZAKAT TOPICS

Many people have questions about how Zakat applies to different assets and situations. Some of the most common topics include:

Zakat on Gold and Jewellery

Zakat on Savings

Zakat on Shares and Investments

Zakat on Pensions

Debts and Liabilities

Property and Business Assets

Zakat al-Fitr and how it differs from Zakat

When Zakat becomes due

GIVE THROUGH OUR ZAKAT FUND

When you are ready to donate, you can give through our Zakat Fund form and choose from the available Zakat-eligible projects or areas of need.

This keeps the process simple while giving you greater clarity over where your Zakat is intended to go.

Only Zakat-eligible options should appear within this form.

DONATE TO THE ZAKAT FUND

HOW TO GIVE THROUGH THE ZAKAT FUND

Enter donation amount
Select one project or area of need
Complete donation securely online

For clarity, a single-select field such as radio buttons or a dropdown is usually better than multiple checkboxes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is every project on your website Zakat eligible?

No. Only certain projects or cases may be supported through Zakat. Other causes should be funded through non-Zakat giving.

2. Can I choose where my Zakat goes?

Yes. Our Zakat Fund can be designed so you can choose from the available Zakat-eligible options.

3. Is Masjid Building Zakat eligible?

Generally, Masjid Building should not be funded through Zakat and is better supported through Sadaqah, Lillah, and other non-Zakat donations.

4. Why are some projects listed as may be eligible in certain cases?

Because eligibility may depend on how support is delivered and whether the recipient qualifies under Zakat rules.

5. Is Zakat the same as Sadaqah?

No. Zakat is an obligation with specific rules and recipients, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity that may be given more broadly.

6. Can Zakat be used for education?

In some cases, yes. This depends on recipient eligibility and how the support is structured.

7. Can Zakat be used for medical treatment?

Yes, where the recipient qualifies and the support is directed appropriately.

8. What if I am unsure whether Zakat applies to my situation?

If your case involves more detailed issues such as investments, pensions, debts, or business assets, it is best to seek qualified advice.

Global Aid Trust is an education based charity helping orphans, sponsoring their cost of living and education.
Registered Charity No 1123560. Est. 2008.
Company number 06461062. Raised over £4M.