Praise be to Allaah.
It is better to give obligatory zakaah openly and announce it, so that others will follow one’s example, lest one be thought badly of and some people think that this person is not paying zakaah. 

But if a person fears that he will be showing off, or he fears that it may cause some hurt and embarrassment to the poor person, then it better to give it in secret. 

It is possible to combine both interests, by giving some zakaah openly and giving some secretly, according to circumstances. 

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is better, in the case of zakaah, to give it openly, so that others will see it and do likewise, and lest one be thought badly of. This is the same as obligatory prayer: it is mustahabb to do it openly. It is only mustahabb to conceal in the case of naafil prayers and fasts. End quote from al-Majmoo‘, 6/228. 

Al-Mardaawi said in al-Insaaf (3/200): It is mustahabb to pay zakaah openly in all cases, according to the correct view. End quote. 

Ibn Battaal said in his commentary on Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 3/420: There is no difference of opinion among the leading scholars: giving obligatory charity is better than doing it secretly, and giving voluntary charity in secret is better than giving it openly… The same applies to all kinds of obligatory and naafil actions. Sufyaan said: “‘but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you” [al-Baqarah 2:271], except zakaah. This view is like consensus. End quote. 

It says in al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (23/301), concerning matters to which attention should be paid when giving zakaah: 

Paying zakaah should be done openly and announced. … al-Tabari said: The scholars are agreed that doing obligatory acts openly is better.. 

With regard to the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you” [al-Baqarah 2:271], this has to do with voluntary charity, and is like prayer: offering voluntary prayers at home is better, and offering obligatory prayers in the mosque with the congregation is better.

And Allah knows best.

Sissie

It all depends on intention. Thanks for this brief explanation.

I think it's all about the intention, and also it's a personal think. I for one think all such should be concealed.

The wisdom behind openly giving zakat (but with intent for it to be recognized by Allah alone,and no one) is to induce others capable of giving it out also,to act accordingly.This is on the part of the giver.Anyone who imbibes the acts of the giver,also has a reward,and the giver also has equal reward just for making explicit a good deed as such.The number of people who replicate after they have seen him do,the more his rewards with Allah.

On the part of the receiver,it is also an onus on him to effectively utilize the proceeds he of zakat,so that he too can be a giver in the long or short run. He cannot come out tomorrow and turn himself a beggar,when there were witnesses to his receiving of the zakat.He cannot deny that he is impecunious and for that,he resorts to atrocities.

If zakat were to be implemented and effected according to the scriptures,the gap between the haves and the have not,may seal up,reasonably.

It is better, in the case of zakaah, to give it openly, so that others will see it and do likewise, and lest one be thought badly of.

I think it all depends on the intention. If you give it publicly, it will encourage others to follow suite for various reasons (e.g. you reminded them, to show they have more than you, to beat you to good deeds in the sight of Allah etc.). Any which way, the poor wins.
Allahu allam

Good write up

Good write up, Jazakumullah Khayran OP

good write broda. jazakumulahu khairah

but concerning d question!!!!! ALLAHU HALAM

''But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you''.

Mathew 6:3


As much as you can try to give in secret. Where it is not possible, then give openly. It is better in secret so a ''big show'' is not put up.

Since you're doing it for God and God is the all seeing, why do it loud?
Doing it loud only seems like you showing off to me.

Either giving it openly or concealing it, both could either be good or bad.

In one of the hadiths of Rosul (PBUH): Actions are judged according to INTENTION

Book of Revelation
Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 1 :: Hadith 1
Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:

I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”

Also reported in Sahih Muslim

Allah is all aware of what you do(openly or secretly)

One basic principle in Islam is the Judgement based on Intention. There are so many Hadiths on this. However, there are Sadakah that can only be done openly while there are others which allows room to be discrete about it. The lesson in openly giving Sadakah is that might also encourage others, while advantage of being discrete is that you can in that way covers the secret of your brother/Sister. Take for example, someone who is struggling in the community financially, giving him secretely might help by covering his affair to the community and also not erode his pride as a man.

In this present e-banking days, giving discretely is now easier with online bank transfer that the received might not even know you. The social Media is making this easier for example www.donate-ng.com is championing the spirit of Community giving, little token goes a long way.

However for Zakah, there are school of thought who think it is preferable to have Zakah committee/establishment within the community where Zakah should be paid. In this case it will be relatively discrete. However, Zakah can be given directly to the Needy and in this case openly or discreet can be based on the situation. However, giving of Zakah should be taken serious and following of the right calculation is crucial to avoid giving sadakah in place of zakah.

The important thing as said is Intention, Give and ask for Allah acceptance/reward for your good deed and always ask for Forgiveness from the evil of the retreating whisperer - who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind. For we may at one time or the other have a feeling, after giving, for human recognition.

May Allah guide us all

Masha Allah.... may Allah give us the privilege to obey his command. May he soften the heart of the rich so as to help the poor masses. May Allah reward the op

These days, most people give zakaah so they can post on social media for publicity. It is well!

Jazakallahu khairan. I felt that giving Zakat openingly can be of help to remind and encourage others to pay their Zakat.

Masha Allah

Concealed.... It is the best but the rate at which people show it off this days especially in jumah.... May Allah direct our path..ameen

Concealed.... The best but the rate at which people show it off this days especially in jumah.... May Allah direct our path..ameen

I think it is better to give it secretly and encourage others to give zakkat same way

I have always believed it is better to give anonymously when giving to strangers, but we live in a different world now. Depending on the situation and to whom you're giving help, it may be necessary to make it known and obvious.

In any case, whatever the result, giving should never make you regretful. You gave for the sake of Allah (swt).