Zakat Fund 2026

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam—a mandatory charitable contribution that requires every eligible Muslim who meets a minimum savings threshold to donate 2.5% of their annual savings to help those in need.

IRC will accept Zakat each year during Ramadan. This year, Zakat donations can be made in February 2026, throughout the month of Ramadan.

Yes. Before launching the IRC Zakat Fund, the IRC consulted with a leading Islamic scholar, a consultant and peer institutions. IRC is confirmed as an eligible recipient of Zakat contributions. Read the Fatwa issued by Shaykh Haytham Haytham Tamim.

In 2025, the IRC launched a pilot to accept Zakat funding for the first time. The Fund allowed supporters and donors to direct their Zakat to help crisis-affected people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Fifty percent of refugees and internally-displaced people (IDPs) originate from member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Together, we can ensure that your contributions reach those who need them most.

With public aid declining and foreign aid policies shifting, the gap to meet global humanitarian needs has become increasingly critical. Zakat contributions enable the IRC to continue reaching displaced and crisis-affected communities.

The Holy Qur'an designates eight categories eligible to receive Zakat: the relevant categories for the purpose of IRC being the poor, the needy, debtors, wayfarers and those who administer it. Today, most of the 120 million refugees and IDPs fall into these groups. With generous support from donors like you, communities affected by crisis and displacement will receive Zakat support.

Zakat funds will be used exclusively for lifesaving, Shariah-compliant humanitarian programs delivered by the IRC or our Zakat-compliant partners. Assistance will be provided in eligible countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Africa and Asia where the IRC operates.

The IRC and its partners currently provide lifesaving aid in 21 countries within the OIC: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, and Yemen. Each year, reporting will be shared only for the countries where Zakat funds are allocated.

Zakat contributions will support urgent needs, which could include cash assistance, food, water, shelter, medicines and learning materials. Support may be delivered as cash or essential goods, ensuring beneficiaries retain full ownership of the assistance. Programs may include cash distributions, school supplies, food support and tools or materials that help families rebuild or start small businesses.

• Why cash assistance? Cash assistance is one of our most impactful humanitarian interventions, enabling crisis-affected families to meet their basic needs with dignity. Through an extensive distribution network across MENA, Africa, and Asia, and using technologies like digital payments, we ensure funds reach those most eligible. Zakat contributions will help sustain and expand this vital support.
• Post-distribution monitoring shows that recipients primarily use cash for essentials such as rent, food, healthcare and debt repayment. This assistance helps prevent eviction, cover medical costs, reduce reliance on exploitative labor and keep children in school. It also alleviates the burden of debt, giving families the stability they need to begin rebuilding toward self‑reliance. 
   

IRC will accept Zakat each year during Ramadan, starting in the month of Ramadan.

The IRC provides a trusted mechanism to channel the power of Zakat to support refugees and displaced families. This includes helping those with no other means of support, such as female-headed households and children. Our goal is to ensure compliance and effective delivery of quality support to our clients.

• Management & Accountability: The IRC allocates Zakat funds to a dedicated, ring-fenced, interest-free Zakat fund. The IRC trains relevant staff, including finance and program teams, on Zakat principles to ensure compliance with Shariah principles and best humanitarian practices. Unspent Zakat donations may be maintained in a Zakat fund and used within one year for future emergencies affecting Zakat-eligible beneficiaries and projects, either by IRC or our Zakat-compliant partners.
• Traceability: Every donation will be directed exclusively to Zakat‑compliant activities in countries facing urgent humanitarian needs. The IRC and its Zakat‑compliant partners will deliver funds directly to eligible beneficiaries, without ineligible intermediaries, and in full alignment with Shariah principles.
• Transparency: Each year, the IRC will report on how Zakat funds were allocated, disbursed, and utilized, including impact assessments, beneficiary feedback, and visual evidence where available. Independent Shariah audits will also verify compliance with all policies and program reporting.
• 100% Zakat-Distribution Policy: In line with Zakat principles, no more than one eighth (1/8) of Zakat is allocated to those who work on administering it (al-Amilīna Alayhā). Every dollar of the remaining contributions go directly to support crisis-impacted and Zakat-compliant clients in need of humanitarian aid. No Zakat will be applied to indirect cost recovery, and the IRC will not deduct fees or wages for indirect cost recovery. Contributions will be disbursed to eligible beneficiaries within one year of receipt.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: IRC will oversee the implementation and impact of Zakat-funded programs to maintain accountability and require adequate reporting from any of its partners. An expert team will conduct internal compliance reviews with a third-party audit.
  As a sector leader in cost efficiency and program effectiveness, we have completed 400+ cost-efficiency analyses and will help ensure every dollar of your Zakat is spent based on evidence.

No, Zakat funds will not be used for any interest-bearing investments, and no deductions will be made from Zakat contributions for non-Zakat-eligible activities.

The IRC will accept Zakat contributions through an online form launched each year during Ramadan, or by depositing checks or wire transfers directly into the IRC's dedicated interest-free bank account. If you have questions about any other giving options, please talk with your IRC representative to learn what other options can be honored.

Zakat donations will be pooled within IRC’s Zakat Fund to maximize impact within eligible humanitarian programs. If you would like to discuss your Zakat donation, have questions about how we administer funds, or explore other Zakat-giving options, please contact zakat@rescue.org.