If the purpose of Zakat is solely to help the poor and needy, then it makes sense to give Zakat abroad due to the extent of poverty abroad. However, all acts of worship, including Zakat, are to bring us closer to God – as individuals and a community. We can only achieve this communal purpose of Zakat if it is: primarily distributed locally and holistically, to individuals in hardship, for Muslim community development and for advocacy for Islam and Muslims.
Many scholars recommend that Zakat should be given locally. This is based in part on the instruction that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave to his companion, Mu’adh, who was sent to spread the message of Islam in Yemen, “O Mu’adh! Inform them that Allah makes Zakat obligatory for them. (It is) to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.” [Bukhari]
NZF recommends you give Sadaqah to support causes in any other country, or any cause in this country which does not fall under the categories of Zakat mentioned in the Qur’an.
Was this article helpful?
