Muslim Aid USA (MAUSA) will spend Zakat payments in line with our policy and procedures and the specific requirements of Zakat. At MAUSA we take the responsibility of handling Zakat extremely serious.

Whatever you lend out in usury to gain value through other people’s wealth will not increase with God, but whatever you give in charity, in your desire for God’s pleasure, will earn a manifold increase. (Qur’an 30:39)

We spend any Zakat payments in line with the procedures detailed below. Zakat payments are restricted to responding to emergency situations to save lives in Muslim majority communities and supporting specific development projects that are taking place in Muslim majority communities. Meaning your zakat will help provide emergency food, shelter for refugees, job training, medication, and so much more. MAUSA does not distribute cash to individuals.

Categories of Zakat
The following verse outlines the recipients:

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect (zakah) and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives (or slaves) and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the (stranded) traveler – an obligation (imposed) by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (Quran 9:60)

The above verse singles out eight types of people deemed eligible to receive Zakat. They have been identified as:

• The poor.
• The needy.
• Administrators of Zakat, Muslim Aid USA for example.
• Reconciliation of Hearts.
• Those in Bondage/Captive.
• Those in Debt.
• In the Cause of Allah.
• The Travelers.

 

Most scholars agree that the poor and needy are the most important categories of people to receive zakat. It is acceptable to give your entire zakat to individuals who are in those groups. MAUSA prioritizes the above group when spending your zakat.

Muslim Aid USA follows the practice agreed upon by most scholars, which states that collectors of zakat are one of the eight groups eligible to receive zakat. As such, MUSA is eligible to use up to 12.5% of donations made to zakat-specific funds for important core work, including administrative and operational functions.