Can I give zakat to refugees?

Which zakat groups refugees fit

The Quran lists eight groups who can receive zakat:

Someone who fled war with nothing usually counts as poor or needy. Many scholars also see displaced people as close to ibn as-sabil, the traveller cut off from their home and money, even if they own property back home they can't reach. Refugees who borrowed to pay for their journey or for legal fees may also count as debtors. See Who can receive zakat?

Helping people who lost their homes has deep roots in Islam. The first Muslims were themselves refugees, and the Ansar of Madinah shared everything with them. See What does Islam say about immigrants and refugees?

Non-Muslim refugees

The majority of scholars say obligatory zakat goes to Muslims, based on the hadith that it is "taken from their rich and given to their poor" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1395). Some scholars allow it for non-Muslims under the group "bringing hearts together". Voluntary sadaqah, however, can go to anyone in need, and helping any refugee is a good deed. See Can I give zakat to non-Muslims?

Refugees near you or far away

• Locally: many mosques in the UK, Europe and the USA support newly arrived families with rent, furniture and school costs. A local family's need may be easier to check.
• Abroad: camps in places like Syria, Gaza, Sudan or Bangladesh have huge need, and established charities run zakat-eligible appeals there.
• Both are valid; scholars differ on how far zakat should travel. See Should I give zakat locally or abroad?

Giving through a charity

If you give through an organisation, check that it has a separate zakat fund and spends it only on eligible people, not on general running costs or projects that serve everyone. Ask how it decides who qualifies.