Can I give zakat to my employee or cleaner?
Yes, if they are a Muslim who qualifies for zakat and it is not part of their pay. You can give zakat to your employee, cleaner or nanny when they are poor or in debt. But zakat can never replace wages, a bonus or anything you already owe them for their work.
Zakat is not a salary
Wages are a right your worker earned. Zakat is a right Allah gave to the poor. If you pay part of a salary "from zakat", you are really paying your own debt with money that belongs to someone else, so it does not count as zakat. The same goes for a Christmas or Eid bonus you normally give, holiday pay, or a tip that is part of the deal. Pay these in full first, then give zakat on top if they are eligible.
When your worker can receive zakat
The Quran limits zakat to eight groups, including the poor, the needy and people in debt (Quran 9:60). A cleaner on a low wage who struggles to pay rent, or a worker with a debt they can't clear, may well fit. Their job doesn't disqualify them; their need is what matters. See Who can receive zakat?
- Muslim: the majority of scholars say zakat goes to Muslims. For a non-Muslim worker, give sadaqah instead. See Can I give zakat to non-Muslims?
- No strings: don't give zakat to keep someone in your job, to lower their pay rise, or expecting extra work in return.
- Not your dependant: you can't give zakat to someone you are already obliged to support, such as your own child or parent, even if they work for you.
Keep it kind and discreet
A worker may feel awkward taking charity from their boss. You don't have to call it zakat; you can simply say it's a gift to help with their costs, as long as you made the intention of zakat yourself. See Do I have to tell the person it's zakat? Give privately, and never mention it again at work. The Quran praises giving to the poor quietly:
Think about fairness
If your cleaner always seems short of money, ask yourself whether the wage is fair. Paying a decent rate is part of good character, and zakat should be an extra help, not a patch for low pay.
- An eligible Muslim worker can receive your zakat.
- Zakat can't replace wages, bonuses or tips you owe.
- Give it with no conditions about their job.
- Give quietly; you don't have to call it zakat.
People also ask
Do I pay zakat on money from a haram job?
No, zakat doesn't purify money from a haram job: haram earnings are given away in full. Wealth earned before Islam and halal income get normal zakat.
Read the full answer →Can I give zakat to someone who doesn't pray?
Yes, most scholars say zakat to a poor Muslim who doesn't pray is valid, though practising people come first. See the stricter view and tips.
Read the full answer →Do I pay zakat on my mahr?
Yes, a mahr you've received is the wife's own wealth and counts for zakat with her savings. Deferred mahr not yet paid is treated differently.
Read the full answer →What if my savings drop below nisab during the year?
If savings drop below nisab mid-year, most scholars say the zakat year restarts; the Hanafi school looks only at the start and end of the year.
Read the full answer →Can zakat help victims of human trafficking?
Yes, zakat can help Muslim victims of human trafficking as poor, indebted or stranded people; many apply 'freeing captives' to modern slavery.
Read the full answer →