Zakat vs Sadaqah vs Fitrana: Who Can Receive Each?
December 20, 2020
How to Donate to an Orphanage
December 20, 2020Important note: I am not a scholar. This article summarizes well-known positions from classical and contemporary sources. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar or a trusted fatwa body. Don’t rely on a blog alone for a religious ruling.
Can Zakat Be Given to an Orphanage?
Yes, but only under conditions. The orphans must be eligible, which usually means poor or needy, and the zakat must actually reach them.
Zakat is not just charity. It is a duty with set recipients. So the real question is not “orphanage or not,” but “who receives it, and how?”
What does the Quran say about who can receive zakat?
The Quran lists eight categories of recipients.
Allah says in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60) that zakat is for:
- The poor (fuqara)
- The needy (masakin)
- Those who collect it (amilin)
- Those whose hearts are to be reconciled
- Freeing captives or those in bondage
- Those in debt
- In the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah)
- The traveler in need (ibn as-sabil)
An orphan is not a separate category. An orphan qualifies when he or she is poor or needy.
So are orphans eligible for zakat?
Yes, if the orphan is poor or needy.
- Many orphans have no provider, so they often fit the “poor and needy” category.
- An orphan who inherited wealth and has enough to live on is generally not eligible.
- The test is need, not just the loss of a father.
The Qur’an strongly urges kindness to orphans (for example, 2:220 and 93:9). The Prophet ﷺ said: “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” holding his two fingers together (Sahih al-Bukhari). But kindness to orphans can also be done through voluntary charity. Zakat has its own rules.
What Conditions Apply When Giving Zakat to an Orphanage?
The orphanage must be trustworthy, and the money must reach eligible children as a transfer of ownership or through a valid agent.
Must the orphan “own” the zakat?
This is where the schools differ in emphasis.
- Hanafi: Strongly emphasizes tamlik, meaning handing over ownership to the eligible person. Zakat cannot simply be spent on a building or a shared meal without the recipient taking ownership. Source: Al-Hidayah by al-Marghinani; Radd al-Muhtar by Ibn Abidin.
- Shafi’i: Requires giving to eligible people, and the recipient should receive it. Source: Minhaj at-Talibin by Imam an-Nawawi; Al-Majmu.
- Maliki: Requires that it reach eligible categories, with some flexibility in how benefit is delivered. Source: Mukhtasar Khalil; Bidayat al-Mujtahid by Ibn Rushd.
- Hanbali: Requires giving to eligible categories and discusses conditions of the recipient’s need. Source: Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah.
Because the details differ, many scholars advise this practical route:
- Give zakat to an orphanage that acts as your agent (wakil).
- The orphanage passes it to eligible orphans, for example through food, clothing, or school fees given to their guardian on their behalf.
- Many contemporary fatwa bodies discuss this arrangement. Ask your scholar which applies to your school.
Can zakat be used to build an orphanage or pay staff?
Generally no, unless the specific person qualifies.
- Construction, rent, and general running costs are usually paid from sadaqah, waqf, or other voluntary giving.
- Salaries of general staff do not fall under the eight categories, except for those employed to collect and distribute zakat (amilin).
- Keep zakat money separate and make sure it goes to eligible children.
Can zakat go to a non-Muslim orphan?
The majority view is that zakat goes to Muslims.
- Most scholars hold that zakat is for Muslim recipients.
- Voluntary sadaqah can be given to non-Muslims in need. See Quran 60:8 and 76:8.
- Ask a scholar about your specific case.
What Should I Check Before Giving Zakat to an Orphanage?
Check that it separates zakat funds, is honest about how it spends them, and has a qualified religious adviser.
- Does it accept zakat in a separate account?
- Does it have a Shariah adviser or board?
- Can it show how zakat was distributed?
- Is it a registered, audited organization?
- Does it give to orphans who are actually poor or needy?
If the answer to these is unclear, give your zakat to a trusted zakat organization and give sadaqah to the orphanage instead.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Can I give zakat to my own orphaned relatives?
Yes, if they are poor and you are not legally responsible for supporting them. You cannot give zakat to your parents or children. Relatives like nieces and nephews who are orphans can qualify, and giving to relatives who qualify earns the reward of charity and of keeping family ties (a hadith in Sunan an-Nasa’i and at-Tirmidhi).
Can I give zakat to an orphanage in another country?
Many scholars allow it if the recipients are eligible and the funds are handled properly. Some also advise prioritizing needy people near you. Ask your scholar.
Can zakat pay for an orphan’s school fees?
Often yes, if the orphan is eligible and the payment is made on their behalf, such as to the guardian or through a valid agent.
Is it better to give sadaqah to an orphanage?
Sadaqah is more flexible. It can cover buildings, salaries, and general costs. Many people give zakat to eligible orphans and sadaqah to the institution.
What if the orphan is rich?
A wealthy orphan does not qualify for zakat. Need is the condition.
Is it valid to give zakat to the orphanage manager?
Only if the manager is a valid agent and passes it on to eligible orphans. Ask the orphanage to explain how it distributes zakat.
