What is the importance of forming the intention when giving zakat? I give out a monthly amount that I place in the mosque, to support orphans, and at times to contribute to helping girls get married, with the intention of charity and voluntary donations. Is it permissible to count these funds as part of my zakat on wealth?

Allah Almighty determined the expenditures of zakat in the following verse, “Alms are meant only for the poor, the needy, those who administer them, those whose hearts need wining over, to free slaves and help those in debt, for Allah's cause, and for travelers in need. This is ordained by Allah; Allah is all Knowing and wise” (Quran, 9:60).

There is no juristic disagreement concerning the categories of zakat or the meanings intended by them, except in the case of “in the cause of Allah,” which gave rise to different interpretations. The view we incline toward is that it encompasses all avenues of benevolence and every form of charitable endeavor. However, jurists stipulate that the payment of zakat must be accompanied by an intention, and this intention is binding at the time of payment.

Accordingly, if the inquirer intended the payment as zakat at the time of giving it to the recipients mentioned in the question, it is counted as zakat. If not, it cannot be counted toward the zakat obligatory upon him, due to the absence of intention at the time of payment. Rather, what he gave is considered as ordinary voluntary charity.

And Allah Almighty knows best.