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Is it permissible to send Zakat to another country, such as Palestine, when there are poor people in the Zakat payer's own country?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Zakat is given to those specified by Allah in His saying: "As-Sadaqat (Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in Allah's Cause), and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise." (At-Tawbah: 60) It is stipulated that the recipient be outwardly Muslim, and the more righteous among the poor or needy is given precedence for Zakat. The general rule is that Zakat should be spent on the poor of the country where the wealth is located. However, it is permissible to transfer it if there is a need, such as when the poor in the recipient country are in greater need, or due to kinship with the Zakat payer.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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