Does giving money to one's mother for her to distribute to the needy, with her knowledge of the amount, invalidate the meaning of secret charity and make it public?
The criterion for secret charity is that no one knows about it except the giver himself, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "(A man) who gives charity and conceals it, so that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent." If someone is informed about that charity, it takes it out of the category of secret charity. However, informing one person out of necessity—such as entrusting him with its distribution—is not the same as disclosing it in front of a crowd of people. The fewer people who know about it, the closer it is to sincerity. If there is a legitimate benefit in showing the deed, such as people emulating it, and it is free from ostentation, then there is no harm in it. Delivering charity to those who deserve it is a legitimate benefit. So, if the giver needs to appoint an agent for its distribution, there is no harm upon him, and it is hoped that Allah will not deprive him of the virtue of secrecy. Secrecy in charity is better because it is further from ostentation, unless there is an overriding benefit in disclosing it, in which case it becomes better from this perspective.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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