Your Zakat Is an Amanah. We Treat It Like One.
Zakat isn’t simply another donation. It is an act of worship with rules governing intention, eligibility, agency, ownership and distribution.
That’s why we administer your Zakat separately and with particular care.
Four-Madhhab Caution · Separately Managed · Eligibility Checked · No General Admin Deduction
We Aim for the Safer Route.
Our Zakat procedures have been developed with scholarly guidance.
Where recognised differences exist between the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, we endeavour, wherever reasonably possible, to structure the distribution cautiously so that the donor’s obligation is fulfilled across the four major Sunni schools.
We don’t simply look for the easiest opinion.
Your Intention → Our Authority → Recipient Eligibility → Valid Distribution
The Authority You Give Us When Sending Zakat.
“I authorise you and if needs be for you to authorise others in turn, to pay Zakaat on our behalf and those who may have authorised me.
I also authorise you to change the currency if required and use other money (or goods) in fulfilling the Zakaat obligation on our behalf.”
When you send us a payment clearly identified as Zakat, we treat this as your agreement to the authorisation above.
Where possible, we also appreciate a voice note reading the statement. This provides an additional verbal person-to-person authorisation as part of the cautious process we use, including the agency requirements considered under the Shafi’i school.
Your authorisation allows the people who genuinely need to handle the distribution to act on your behalf. For example, a trustee receiving your authority may need to authorise an OWR ground-team member who completes the distribution to the eligible recipient.
It also gives us the necessary flexibility where currency needs to be exchanged or where money or eligible goods are used to fulfil the obligation appropriately.
This is part of the caution we take to ensure your Zakat is administered properly rather than simply treated like an ordinary donation.
Caution Across the Major Sunni Schools.
Differences of jurisprudence can affect how Zakat is administered. Our procedures therefore consider:
NIYYAH — INTENTION
The donor’s intention when setting aside and paying Zakat.
WAKALAH — AGENCY
Authority for OWR and, where required, others in the distribution chain to act on the donor’s behalf.
TAMLIK — OWNERSHIP
Ensuring that the eligible recipient receives the ownership required for a valid distribution where applicable.
CASH & GOODS
Considering the relevant rules where Zakat is fulfilled through money, currency exchange or eligible goods.
ELIGIBILITY
Checking that recipients fall within an appropriate Zakat category.
LOCATION
Considering local distribution, transfer to another location and circumstances where need elsewhere may justify distribution there.
We aim to take a cautious route through these issues rather than simply choosing whichever position is easiest operationally.
The Eight Qur'anic Categories.
The eight categories of Zakat recipients are identified in Qur’an 9:60.
1. Al-Fuqara’ — The very poor
Those without sufficient means to meet their basic needs.
2. Al-Masakin — The poor
Those who have some means but insufficient for their needs.
3. Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha — Zakat administrators
Those falling within the recognised category of authorised Zakat workers under the applicable rules.
4. Al-Mu’allafati Qulubuhum — Those whose hearts are reconciled
Subject to the applicable jurisprudential conditions.
5. Ar-Riqab — Those in bondage
The recognised category relating to freeing people from bondage.
6. Al-Gharimin — Those burdened by qualifying debt
People unable to meet eligible debts, subject to the relevant conditions.
7. Fi Sabilillah — In the path of Allah
Applied according to the recognised jurisprudential interpretation and conditions followed in our Zakat administration.
8. Ibn as-Sabil — The stranded traveller
A qualifying traveller without sufficient means to complete their journey.
Not every person experiencing hardship and not every charitable project automatically qualifies for Zakat. This is why we assess Zakat distributions separately from ordinary charitable assistance.
Our Zakat procedures also take account of recognised restrictions concerning who may receive Zakat.
This includes the rules relating to the descendants of the family of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as well as other relationships or circumstances which can affect eligibility.
We apply the scholarly guidance governing these matters when assessing recipients.
A Zakat donation does not necessarily need to be divided into small amounts among as many people as possible.
Depending upon the amount, circumstances and applicable rules, your Zakat may be given wholly to one eligible recipient or a smaller number of recipients.
This can sometimes allow the recipient to meet a substantial need properly rather than receiving only a token amount.
Where appropriate under our scholarly guidance, a recipient may subsequently assist other eligible people under an arrangement structured and supervised by us.
Zakat will ordinarily be considered in light of the eligible recipients and circumstances connected with its distribution.
Where permitted and appropriate, it may be transferred to another area where eligible recipients exist and the need is greater or there is another recognised reason for doing so.
This is assessed within our four-school caution rather than simply on operational convenience.
Zakat and Sadaqah Are Not the Same Fund.
ZAKAT
Specific religious obligation · Specific eligibility rules · Administered separately · Donor intention required · Distribution rules apply · Not used for OWR’s general administration
SADAQAH
Voluntary charity · Much broader charitable use · Can support a wider range of beneficiaries and projects · Greater flexibility within OWR’s charitable purposes
This distinction matters.
Depending upon your circumstances and the applicable jurisprudential rules, Zakat can apply to categories including:
Cash & savings · Gold & silver · Trade and business assets · Certain livestock · Certain agricultural produce · Minerals and treasure-trove where applicable
Zakat al-Fitr is a separate obligation with its own rules and timing.
If your circumstances are more complicated, ask us. We can refer Zakat questions to qualified teachers and seek guidance relevant to the four major schools of jurisprudence.
The Minimum Qualifying Amount.
Under the scholarly methodology used by One World Relief, the approximate Nisab weights are:
GOLD — 84.875g of pure gold
Approximately 85–86g of 24ct, 97g of 21ct, or about 114g of 18ct gold, allowing for purity.
SILVER — 594.1242g of pure silver
You may see slightly different gram figures used by scholars and Zakat organisations because of differences in converting classical weights into modern grams.
The monetary value changes with the live market price of gold and silver.
Under the Hanafi approach for paper money and bank funds followed in our scholarly guidance, consideration is given to the value of gold or silver depending on what is ordinarily used in that country.
Not sure which Nisab applies to you? Ask us. We can obtain scholarly guidance for your circumstances.
Check today’s market value before calculating your monetary Nisab.
2.5%
Once your zakatable wealth reaches the applicable Nisab, your Zakat year (hawl) begins. For the ordinary annual Zakat calculation, one lunar year then needs to pass while the relevant conditions are satisfied.
Zakat does not have to be paid in Ramadan. Many people choose Ramadan, but your own Zakat date is linked to when your wealth first reached the applicable Nisab and the lunar year that follows.
A straightforward Zakat al-Mal calculation is generally:
Zakatable wealth × 2.5%
It is not simply 2.5% of the amount above the Nisab.
Can Zakat be paid in advance? Yes. Zakat may be paid in advance where the relevant conditions are met. If you are unsure about your circumstances, ask us and we can seek scholarly guidance.
Business assets, jewellery, debts, mixed assets, different schools of jurisprudence and other circumstances may require a more detailed calculation.
Zakat calculator — coming soon.
Bank Transfer Is Preferred Where Practical.
One World Relief
Sort code: 40-24-33
Account No: 12129396
Reference: your phone number + purpose
Example: “+447777459595 Zakat”
Other useful references include: Donation · Sadaqah · Water · Well · Food · Pal · Leb
A payment clearly referenced as Zakat is treated as agreement to the Zakah authorisation stated on this page. Where possible, we also appreciate the additional voice-note authorisation.
We can only distribute on your behalf what we actually receive and have available to use.
You should therefore consider paying a little above your calculated Zakat where bank, card or currency-conversion charges may apply.
Current examples:
International card purchases abroad — our bank charges 2.75%
Card processor — approximately 2.9% + 30p per transaction
Fees can change, so these figures are current guidance rather than permanent rates.
If an additional amount remains after your Zakat obligation has been fulfilled, it can be treated as Sadaqah.
Please send us your full name and address if you’re an eligible UK taxpayer so One World Relief can consider claiming Gift Aid.
Gift Aid is additional charitable income and can help fund logistics and other costs that support our 100% project donation policy. It is separate from your Zakat.
Ask Us.
Straightforward calculations may be simple, but business assets, debts, gold, different Nisab calculations, missed years and other circumstances can become more complicated.
We can seek answers from qualified teachers across the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence.
A Few Important Answers.
Your Zakat Is an Obligation and an Amanah.
We take the responsibility of administering it seriously — from your intention and authorisation through to ensuring it reaches an eligible recipient in an appropriate manner.
