Is it permissible to give zakat to one of the employees in the institution?

Charitable donations (sadaqat) are disbursed to the eight categories of Zakat recipients mentioned in the Quran. If the worker is poor, needy, or in debt, it is permissible to give them from Zakat. However, it is not permissible for the employer to give the worker Zakat instead of their due rights or as payment for extra work. Zakat should also not be given to avoid blame, to show favoritism to a relative, or to protect one's wealth.

For it to be permissible to give a worker from Zakat, it is stipulated that they must be unable to pay their debt, and their income must not exceed what is needed to cover the debt. Furthermore, the purpose of the Zakat should not be to encourage them to work or to be diligent in their work, or to reduce their salary. They should also not be given more than their need. If the employees are Muslim and poor, there is no objection to paying them Zakat, provided it is not treated as a salary or wage, and it is not intended to gain their loyalty. It is preferable to pay it discreetly or through a third party.