How we scored them
Zakat+ has independently reviewed 891 Islamic charities across the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and beyond. Every score is based on verified data from official financial filings — not self-reported figures from charities themselves. No charity paid to be included or reviewed.
The halal score (0–10) weighs four factors: Shariah compliance and funding sources, financial transparency, programme efficiency, and measurable development impact. These are the 10 highest-scoring charities with at least $1M in annual revenue and verifiable public filings.
The top 10
MATW Project
Australia · Revenue $74.7M · ACNC (Australia) (2025)
MATW operates across Asia, Africa and the Middle East delivering orphan care, emergency relief, and water projects. ACNC filings for FY2025 confirm 97% programme spend. Muslim founded, no non-halal funding identified.
Ummah Welfare Trust
United Kingdom · Revenue $78.4M · UK Charity Commission (2024)
Ummah Welfare Trust operates across 24 countries with one of the lowest overhead ratios in the sector at 1%. UK Charity Commission filings show consistent financial discipline year on year. 100% donation policy is verified.
Islamic Relief
United Kingdom · Revenue $275.6M · UK Charity Commission (2024)
The largest Muslim humanitarian organisation in the world by revenue, operating in over 40 countries. 9% overhead is reasonable at this scale. Zakat+ notes that past governance disputes have been resolved. Current filings show no active concerns.
Orphans in Need
United Kingdom · Revenue $23.5M · UK Charity Commission (2025)
Focused exclusively on orphan care across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Africa. UK Charity Commission filings confirm 92% programme spend. Strong operational focus with no non-halal funding identified.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development
United States · Revenue $89.3M · IRS Form 990 (2024)
One of the largest US-based Muslim charities with strong IRS 990 reporting. 92% programme spend on relief, healthcare and development across South Asia. No lawsuits or non-halal connections identified.
Muslim Aid America
United States · Revenue $27.0M · IRS Form 990 (2024)
The US chapter of the Muslim Aid network scores notably higher than its UK parent due to cleaner IRS 990 reporting and lower overhead. 94% to programmes, 6% overhead on $27M revenue.
Indus Hospital and Health Network
Pakistan · Revenue $64.7M · Annual Report (2024)
Pakistan's leading free healthcare charity, treating over 1.5 million patients annually. Strong annual reporting and zero-cost treatment model make this a standout for zakat in the healthcare category.
NZF
United Kingdom · Revenue $10.2M · UK Charity Commission (2024)
The National Zakat Foundation distributes zakat directly to eligible recipients in the UK. Overhead is higher than relief charities at 16%, which reflects the cost of eligibility verification. The highest transparency score in this list at 90.
Muslim Hands USA
United States · Revenue $78.4M · Annual Report (2024)
The US arm of Muslim Hands demonstrates strong financial discipline with 94% to programmes. Large revenue base with efficient operations. No non-halal funding connections identified in Zakat+ research.
Human Appeal USA
United States · Revenue $10.9M · IRS Form 990 (2024)
The US chapter of Human Appeal scores significantly higher than the UK parent due to cleaner IRS filings and lower overhead. 94% programme spend on emergency relief and development. Good choice for US-based donors.
Common questions
What is the best Muslim charity to give to in 2026?
Based on verified filings, MATW Project and Ummah Welfare Trust consistently score highest for overhead efficiency and transparency — see our Top 5 Muslim Charities guide for a focused deep-dive on the top performers. The best choice depends on your cause: MATW and Helping Hand for international relief, NZF for UK zakat distribution, Indus Hospital for healthcare.
Are all of these charities zakat-eligible?
All 10 have been reviewed with no identified non-halal funding connections. NZF is specifically structured for zakat distribution to UK-based nisab-eligible recipients. Our guide to the 8 categories of zakat recipients explains exactly who qualifies under Islamic law. Confirm with a qualified scholar that the distribution method fits your zakat obligation.
Which Muslim charities have the lowest overhead?
Among charities with fully verified filings: Ummah Welfare Trust (1%), MATW Project (3%), and Muslim Aid America (6%) have the lowest ratios. These are calculated from their most recent IRS 990, UK Charity Commission, or ACNC submissions.
How is the halal score calculated?
The Zakat+ halal score (0–10) combines Shariah compliance (funding sources, non-halal connections), financial transparency (filing quality, data availability), programme efficiency (% of spend reaching beneficiaries), and development impact. Scores are recalculated when new filings are published.
All data sourced from IRS Form 990, UK Charity Commission, ACNC (Australia) and published annual reports. Reviewed June 2026. Zakat+ accepts no payment from any charity we review.
