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Zakat Policy

Defending Georgia Muslims Through Your Zakat

Fulfilling Zakat is an essential pillar of Islam. At CAIR-Georgia, we ensure your Zakat directly protects and defends Muslims across the state.

Islamic scholars and juristic councils, including the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA), confirm that Zakat is payable to organizations that defend the rights and religious freedoms of Muslims. CAIR-Georgia’s work qualifies under the Fi Sabilillah (in the cause of Allah) and direct relief categories detailed in the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60).

How Your Zakat Is Allocated

CAIR-Georgia maintains a dedicated, segregated Zakat fund. 100% of these contributions go directly to qualifying community defense and legal aid programs.

Where your Zakat goes:

  • Civil Rights Legal Aid: Free and low-cost legal representation for Muslims facing workplace discrimination, school bullying, hate crimes, and unlawful profiling.
  • Immigration Services: Direct legal casework for immigrant and refugee families facing detention, deportation, or asylum delays.
  • Policy and Advocacy: Protecting religious freedoms and challenging discriminatory state legislation at the Georgia Capitol.
  • Know Your Rights Workshops: Direct community education in masajid and schools across Georgia.

What Zakat is never used for:

  • Annual gala dinners, banquet production, or event catering
  • General marketing, merchandise, or unallocated office overhead

All Zakat funds received within the year are distributed to direct client services within that same fiscal year.

Scholarly Rulings and Islamic Basis

Legal, prophetic, and scholarly foundations confirming that civil rights advocacy and legal defense qualify under the Quranic category of Fi Sabilillah:

The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) confirms that Zakat funds may be given to organizations that defend the civil rights of Muslims in America.

FCNA recognized that providing legal defense and civil rights advocacy qualifies under Fi Sabilillah (in the cause of Allah) because defending Muslims from discrimination upholds justice and communal safety.

The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) affirms Zakat eligibility for civil rights advocacy, policy reform, and legal protection.

AMJA notes that Fi Sabilillah includes defending the vital interests of Muslims, countering Islamophobia, and protecting religious rights through legal and institutional means.

Scholars point to established precedents from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

  • Community Protection (Fi Sabilillah): Zakat was used to protect the Muslim community from harm and systemic injustice. Today, civil rights defense and legal casework serve that same protective role.
  • Building Understanding (Al-Mu’allafatu Qulubuhum): Resources were used to reduce hostility and build alliances. Modern scholars apply this to public outreach that counters anti-Muslim prejudice.
  • Freeing the Oppressed (Ar-Riqab): Zakat was allocated to free people from bondage. Jurists apply this principle to defending individuals from wrongful detention and legal persecution.
  • Defending Human Dignity: In his Farewell Sermon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed the sanctity of life, property, and honor. Legal defense directly protects these rights.

CAIR-Georgia applies these principles across Georgia through:

  • Direct legal intake and representation for victims of religious discrimination.
  • Free immigration consultations and deportation defense.
  • Legislative advocacy to defend civil rights in Georgia.
  • Know Your Rights seminars for youth and congregations statewide.

For complete academic references and detailed juristic citations, you can download the complete CAIR Zakat Scholarly Research Paper (PDF).

Donate Your Zakat to CAIR-Georgia

CAIR-Georgia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations and Zakat contributions are 100% tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.