FatwaFederal TerritoriesZakat
WAJIB BERNIAT KETIKA MENGELUARKAN ZAKAT
Is it obligatory to make an intention when giving out zakat?
Short answer
An intention is obligatory when giving out zakat, so that it is distinguished from kaffarah and other forms of charity, based on the hadith that deeds are judged by intentions.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum Edisi Ramadhan
- Topic
- Zakat
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
An intention is obligatory when giving out zakat, so that it is distinguished from kaffarah and other forms of charity, based on the hadith that deeds are judged by intentions. An owner who uses an agent must make the intention when handing the zakat to the agent, and the agent need not make it again at distribution, though it is better if he does. If the owner gives zakat to the ruler, his intention suffices because the ruler represents those entitled to it, but the ruler's intention alone is not enough if the owner made none.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Wajib berniat ketika mengeluarkan zakat untuk membezakannya daripada kaffarah dan sedekah yang lain.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “WAJIB BERNIAT KETIKA MENGELUARKAN ZAKAT”, 14 July 2015. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/edisi-ramadhan/1938-wajib-berniat-ketika-mengeluarkan-zakat. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/obligatory-intention-when-giving-out-zakat/