Donors should always be asked to make clear whether the donation is Zakah or Sadaqah as the treatment is different.
An active list of projects should also be regularly updated that specify where Zakah-applicable projects are available to donors;
On Zakah, some scholars argue it is not permissible for charities to donate food and items instead of cash. Others however argue it is permissible.
In a place like Gaza, which is under severe economic sanctions and scrutiny, cash handouts, while possible can prove to be difficult unless extraordinary measures including for e.g., names, number and photos are taken to ensure the money is handed out to the rightful deserving recipients.
THE 8 GROUPS (Quran 9:60) ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ZAKAH: 1.Poor and no/low-income; 2. The needy (in difficulty); 3. Stranded travellers/refugees; 4. Those with debt; 5. Those employed to collect Zakah; 6. Those on the path of Allah; 7. Those in slavery, bondage or in captivity (not applicable in Gaza); 8. Those inclined to Islam, reverts, and friends of Muslims (not applicable in Gaza)
Restricted Income: ZAKAH can be used for large segment of the population in Gaza (as vetted by The Gaza Fund) but this is not for everyone in Gaza. Also, this usually takes the form of and where possible, cash aid for people that fit the criteria in points 1-6.
Unrestricted Income: SADAQAH is utilised where “need is greatest”, and can cover clean water, food packs, qualified medical aid, etc., as well as cash aid (where necessary).