Can I donate my old clothes as charity?
Yes, and it's a good sadaqah. Giving clothes, shoes, coats or household items you no longer need helps people and keeps useful things out of landfills. Just make sure they're clean and in good condition. The Quran warns against giving things you wouldn't accept yourself.
A good form of charity
Sadaqah doesn't have to be money. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Every act of goodness is sadaqa" (Sahih Muslim 1005). A warm coat for someone sleeping outside or school uniforms for a family that can't afford them can make a real difference. See Can I donate to an animal shelter as a Muslim?
Give your best, not your worst
Ask yourself: would I be happy to receive this? Stained, torn or worn-out items are better recycled. Allah also says, "Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend from that which you love" (Quran 3:92). Giving away something you still like, like a good jacket, has special value.
Where to give
- Mosque collections for refugees and families in need.
- Homeless shelters and winter coat drives.
- Charity shops, which sell items to fund their work.
- Refugee support groups, which often need specific sizes and items.
- Friends and neighbors who might need them, offered tactfully.
Giving to non-Muslim charities is fine for sadaqah. See Can I still donate to non-Muslim charities as a Muslim?
Can it count as zakat?
Most scholars say zakat on money should be paid in money. The Hanafi school allows giving its value in goods, but it must be new or valued fairly and go to eligible people. Old clothes from your wardrobe are best kept as sadaqah, separate from your zakat. Note that personal clothes themselves aren't zakatable. See Do I pay zakat on my house and car?
- Donating clothes is a good sadaqah.
- Give items in good, clean condition.
- Giving something you love has special reward.
- Keep used items separate from zakat.
People also ask
Can I donate to an animal shelter as a Muslim?
Yes. Kindness to animals is rewarded in Islam, and the Prophet praised a man who gave water to a thirsty dog. Not as zakat, though.
Read the full answer →Does volunteering count as charity in Islam?
Yes. The Prophet said every good deed is charity, and helping people in need is listed among them. But it doesn't replace zakat.
Read the full answer →What do I do with interest money from my bank account?
Don't keep it for yourself. Most scholars say give it away to the poor or public good, not as zakat, and move to a no-interest account.
Read the full answer →Does giving charity make you poorer?
No. The Prophet said charity never decreases wealth, and Allah promises to replace what you give. Here's what that means.
Read the full answer →Can I give charity on behalf of someone who died?
Yes. The Prophet confirmed that charity for a deceased parent benefits them. Here's how, and what about non-Muslim relatives.
Read the full answer →