Egypt’s Al-Azhar Fatwa Body Permits Paying Zakat to Support Displaced Gazans
Dar al-Ifta, Egypt’s official fatwa authority, released a statement on its official Facebook page addressing a question about the legality of distributing zakat among the families of Gaza’s martyrs, according to Arabi 21.
The statement said that zakat was originally prescribed “to build human beings and meet their essential needs.”
It added, “If the issue concerns saving lives and protecting people from hunger, thirst, and disease—as is the case for the people of Gaza—then it is permissible, according to Islamic law, to allocate and transfer zakat funds to them. There is no objection to this.”
Dar al-Ifta emphasized that such donations must be made “through official, legal, and approved channels” to ensure that the funds reach those who are truly in need.
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The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that since October 7, 2023, at least 67,869 people have been killed and 170,105 injured in Israeli attacks. Most of the victims are women and children. The ministry also noted that more than 9,500 people remain missing, and famine conditions have already claimed the lives of 463 Palestinians, including 157 children.
The fatwa comes as a fragile ceasefire is in place in Gaza after US President Donald Trump announced the truce on Thursday. Hamas and Israel have exchanged prisoners as part of the step phase of the truce.
The talks were reportedly mediated by Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar and took place in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh under US supervision.
Despite repeated international calls and rulings from the International Court of Justice urging a ceasefire, Israel’s onslaught—backed by the United States—continued, resulting in mass displacement, famine, and destruction.
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