Can I Send My Zakat al-Mal Overseas?
Q: Can I send my zakat al-mal to another country where people are suffering?
A: Sunni legal schools discourage the practice of transferring zakat beyond the distance at which shortening prayers becomes permissible, with some variation among schools.
In the Maliki tradition, while generally it agrees with the other schools, there is an exception attributed to Abd al-Rahman Ibn Al-Qasim and relied on for fatwa: transferring zakat beyond the distance to join prayers is deemed acceptable if there is an emergency in that area. Sahnun also mentioned it saying, “If the authorities are aware of a significant need in other regions, they are permitted to allocate a portion of the obligatory zakat to those areas. In situations of need, it’s essential to give precedence to aiding those in distress, as every Muslim should look out for their fellow Muslim without neglect or harm.”
Based on that, and due to the devastation overseas, I advise you to distribute your zakat among the needy in your local community and also consider extending a portion of your zakat to those in dire situations abroad. This is also supported by the generality of the verse, “Zakat is only for the poor,” as well as the narration, mentioned by al-Bukhari with taliq that Mu’adh distributed zakatable goods he collected outside of Medina in Medina.
Important Note: Ensure that your overseas contribution is explicitly designated for direct aid to the zakat elgible and is not diverted for other purposes.
Allah knows
suhaib Webb