Q. Is the intetnion of Zakah a must when giving trying to fulfill this pillar of Islam?

Q. Is the intetnion of Zakah a must when giving trying to fulfill this pillar of Islam?

Is the intetnion of Zakah a must when giving trying to fulfill this pillar of Islam?

 

 
الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب

When giving zakat to the recipient one must make the intention that what he/she is giving is being given as zakat.  Without this intention, the money given will be a form of optional charity and not zakat.  However, when calculating zakat if one was to calculate and set aside the amount of zakat payable and make the intention that this is zakat, then one does not need to repeat the intention when giving it to the recipient.  E.g.,  If one’s zakat anniversary arrives on the first of Ramadhaan and on that date one calculates and sets aside the amount due with the intention that the money set aside is zakat, then at a later date distributes that same money amongst eligible recipients one does not need to make an intention now that this money is being given as zakat.  The previous intention will suffice.