❖ Question
If Zakat is given to a Christian by mistake, is it necessary to give Zakat again?
❖ Answer by
Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
According to Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh:
◈ Principles of Zakat Disbursement
✔ Zakat is Exclusive to Muslims
The foundational ruling of Zakat is that it should be collected from wealthy Muslims and distributed among needy Muslims. As the Prophet ﷺ instructed Muʿādh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه:
"فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ"
“Inform them that Allah has made charity obligatory upon them, to be taken from their wealthy and given to their poor.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1395)
✔ If Given by Mistake, Zakat is Considered Paid
If Zakat is unintentionally given to a non-Muslim due to ignorance or mistake, it is still considered as fulfilled. However, it is essential to take care in the future that Zakat is directed only towards needy Muslims.
◈ Guidance from Hadith
A narration of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reports that the Prophet ﷺ told of a man who, while giving charity, mistakenly gave it to a thief, an adulteress, and a wealthy person:
“It was said to him that perhaps giving to the thief might cause him to abandon stealing, giving to the adulteress might lead her to abandon adultery, and giving to the wealthy might make him learn a lesson and spend from the wealth Allah has granted him.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1421)
This incident indicates that even if charity mistakenly reaches someone who is not among the intended recipients, the reward is not lost.
✿ Ruling Summary
① No Need to Give Zakat Again
If Zakat is mistakenly given to a Christian, there is no requirement to give it again.
② Exercise Caution in the Future
Going forward, ensure that Zakat is delivered only to deserving Muslims.
