Federal Law Regarding the National Zakat Platform

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Federal Law No. (4) of 2025 Regarding the National Zakat Platform We, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, − Having reviewed the Constitution; − Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended; − Federal Law No. (3) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Donations; − Federal Decree by Law No. (50) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of Public Welfare Association; − Federal Law No. (2) of 2024 Regarding the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat; − Federal Law No. (3) of 2024 Regarding the UAE Council for Fatwa; and − Upon the proposal of the Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat, and the approval of the Cabinet, the Federal National Council, and the ratification of the Federal Supreme Council, Hereby promulgate the following Law: Article (1) Definitions For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: State: The United Arab Emirates. Authority: The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat. Chairman: The Chairman of the Competent Authority. Competent Authority: The local government entity concerned with Zakat affairs in the Emirate, or the Authority in the Emirates, where no such local government entity exists. Establishment: The public welfare association or any other legal person. Permit: The approval issued by the Competent Authority to the Establishment to receive, collect, or distribute Zakat in accordance with the provisions of this Law. Authorized Entity: The Establishment that has obtained the Permit. Zakat: A specified share of a Muslim's wealth, to be paid and distributed in accordance with the conditions and the Shari’ah-compliant eligible recipients (Masārif). Eligible Categories: Persons entitled to receive Zakat, in accordance with the conditions and criteria approved by the Competent Authority, in line with the Shari’ah- compliant eligible recipients (Masārif). National Zakat Platform: A unified digital platform established in accordance with the provision of Article (5) of this Law. Zakat Declarations: Reports submitted by the Authorized Entities to the Competent Authority, which include detailed data on the Zakat received and the methods of its receipt, collection, and distribution in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof. Article (2) Objectives of the Law This Law aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Govern, regulate, and manage the processes of receiving, collecting, distributing, and disbursing Zakat, and investing its surplus in accordance with Shari’ah and legal provisions and controls. 2. Ensure the delivery of Zakat to the Eligible Categories. 3. Coordinate efforts and ensure integration among the Authorized Entities in the State to distribute Zakat through Sharia-compliant eligible recipients (Masārif). 4. Verify that Zakat funds are managed in accordance with Shari’ah provisions and through lawful channels. Article (3) Scope of Application 1. The provisions of this Law shall apply to anyone who receives, collects, or distributes Zakat within the State, including financial and non-financial Free Zones. 2. The Cabinet may exempt any Establishment or entity from the application of certain provisions of this Law. The exempted Establishments and entities shall comply with the provisions related to registration on the National Zakat Platform and the documentation of proceeds from receiving, collecting, and distributing Zakat, as well as any other related data, in accordance with the mechanism to be determined by a decision of the Chairman of the Authority in coordination with the Competent Authority and the concerned government entities. Article (4) Receiving, Collecting, and Distributing Zakat 1. No natural person may collect or receive Zakat for distribution except in accordance with the controls and conditions to be determined by a decision of the Chairman of the Authority in coordination with the Competent Authorities. 2. It is prohibited for any legal person to receive, collect, or distribute Zakat without obtaining the Permit. Article (5) The National Zakat Platform 1. A unified national digital platform, to be called the 'National Zakat Platform,' shall be established at the Authority, which shall include the following data: a. Data of the Authorized Entities. b. Data on the Eligible Categories and the percentages allocated to each category. c. Data on collected and distributed Zakat funds. d. Any other data determined by a decision of the Chairman of the Authority. 2. The Authorized Entities shall complete all financial transactions related to Zakat through the systems and procedures specified by the Competent Authority. 3. The mechanism for documenting the proceeds of receiving, collecting, and distributing Zakat and any other related data on the National Zakat Platform shall be regulated by a decision of the Chairman of the Authority in coordination with the Competent Authority and the concerned government entities. 4. The conditions and procedures for updating the data on the National Zakat Platform shall be determined by a decision of the Chairman of the Authority. Article (6) Permit Conditions and Controls 1. The following conditions shall be required for granting the permit: a. The Establishment shall be licensed in accordance with the laws in force in the State. b. Submission of a plan for the mechanism of receiving, collecting, and distributing Zakat, in compliance with the approved mechanism under Clause (3) of Article (5) of this Law. c. Submission of evidence that the Establishment complies with the accounting and Shari’ah standards specified by the Competent Authority. d. Opening a separate bank account dedicated to collecting Zakat funds in one of the national banks in the State, in accordance with the conditions and controls issued by the Chairman of the Authority. e. Any other conditions specified by the Competent Authority. 2. The Competent Authority shall decide on the granting and renewal of Permits in accordance with the legislation in force therein. 3. Without prejudice to the provisions of this Law, the Competent Authority shall issue a decision specifying and regulating the procedures and deadlines related to the submission of Permit applications and the grievance against the decisions of the Competent Authority thereon. 4. The Permit shall be issued for a period of one year, renewable for similar periods. Article (7) Obligations of the Authorized Entity The Authorized Entities shall comply with the following: 1. Register on the National Zakat Platform. 2. Ensure that the name of the Zakat beneficiary is not included in any of the lists issued by the concerned authorities in the State regarding terrorist organizations, or other lists identifying persons, organizations, or groups that pose a threat to the State, or whose names have been included pursuant to international obligations, and verify that the Zakat beneficiary is not associated with any person, entity, organization, or group included in those lists. 3. Provide the Competent Authority with documents proving the following: a. That the Zakat allocated to the beneficiary has been delivered to them personally or to their legal representative. b. That the Zakat has been disbursed to the Eligible Categories. 4. Disburse cash amounts of Zakat to its beneficiaries through bank accounts, or any other means specified by the Competent Authority. 5. Ensure the fulfillment of the following requirements before disbursing Zakat: a. The authenticity of the identification data of the Zakat beneficiary prior to disbursement. b. A social case study of the Zakat beneficiary to confirm their eligibility for Zakat within the Eligible Categories. c. Any other documents requested by the Competent Authority. 6. Notify the Competent Authority within (30) thirty days from the date of any change or amendment to its legal entity or form, including merger, assignment of part or all of its activity, classification, ownership, or any other change. 7. Maintain regular electronic accounting records for Zakat for the periods specified by the Competent Authority. 8. Any other obligations decided by the Competent Authority after coordination with the Authority. Article (8) The Unified Zakat System 1. The Authority, after coordination with the Competent Authority and the local government entities, shall issue a unified system for receiving, collecting, and distributing Zakat, which shall particularly take into account the following: a. Unifying the standards for calculating Zakat, including the Nisab and Hawl. b. Using a unified template for Zakat Declarations. 2. The Authority, after coordination with the Competent Authority and the local government entities, may issue a decision requiring the Authorized Entities to collect Zakat through modern and digital means, such as electronic payment or bank transfers. The Authority or the Competent Authority may provide such devices or means to the Authorized Entities in accordance with the conditions and controls specified in the decision. Article (9) Distribution of Zakat Outside the State 1. It shall be prohibited for the Authorized Entities to distribute Zakat outside the State except in exceptional cases, such as natural disasters or major humanitarian crises, where the concerned entities in the State direct the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected. 2. An Authorized Entity wishing to distribute Zakat outside the State shall submit a request via the National Zakat Platform. If approval for distribution outside the State is granted, the Authorized Entity shall coordinate with the concerned authorities in the State regarding the provision of foreign assistance in accordance with the mechanisms and controls specified by those authorities. Article (10) In-Kind Zakat The Authority, after coordination with the Competent Authorities and concerned entities, may issue a decision regulating the receipt, collection, distribution, and disburs