How Zakat and Charitable Giving Can Be Reflected in an Estate Plan

 Posted on January 29, 2026 in Business Law

Charitable giving is an important part of many estate plans in the United States. Americans donated about $592.5 billion to charitable causes, according to Giving USA 2025’s annual report for 2024. Many people plan ahead to support causes they care about.

For Muslim families, Islamic wills and trusts often include zakat and other charitable goals. Working with DuPage County, IL Islamic estate planning lawyers can help make sure those goals are clearly reflected and legally protected in 2026.

How Can Zakat Be Addressed in an Illinois Estate Plan?

Many Muslim families want their estate plan to account for unpaid zakat and future charitable giving. An Illinois estate plan can include clear instructions about how much should go toward charitable purposes and when those payments should be made.

Some people choose to have charitable giving done before assets are divided among family members. Others include it as part of a broader plan that also supports long-term causes.

Clear instructions help ensure that your wishes are honored.

How Do Zakat and Illinois Estate Planning Law Work Together?

Illinois law gives people broad control over how their property is distributed after death, including the ability to direct charitable giving. Under the Probate Act of 1975, a valid will controls how a person’s estate is distributed, allowing religious and charitable obligations to be clearly addressed in an estate plan.

For Muslim families, this means an estate plan can include specific instructions requiring that any owed zakat be calculated and paid from the estate after death before other distributions are made. The key is making sure these obligations are written in clear, enforceable terms.

Vague language can cause delays or confusion, while specific directions help ensure zakat and other charitable giving are handled exactly as intended. This is why careful estate planning that aligns both faith and Illinois law is crucial.

What Estate Planning Tools Can Be Used for Charitable Giving?

There are several common ways to include charitable giving in an estate plan:

• Naming charities directly in a will

• Using a trust to distribute money to charitable causes

• Setting aside a specific portion of the estate for charity

Each option works differently. The right choice depends on your assets, your family situation, and your goals.

How Can Estate Planning Help Avoid Family Disagreements?

When charitable giving is not clearly addressed, family members may disagree about what should happen. This can create stress during an already difficult time.

A written estate plan removes guesswork. It tells loved ones exactly what you wanted. This helps reduce disputes and keeps decisions from falling on family members who may not agree or fully understand what you would have wanted them to do.

What Happens if Charitable Giving Is Not Included in an Estate Plan?

If charitable giving is not clearly addressed, Illinois law controls how assets are divided. In that case, your charitable goals may not be carried out at all.

Family members may try to honor your wishes, but they may not know exactly what you intended. Planning ahead avoids this problem and provides clear guidance for how to handle your estate.

How Can an Attorney Help With Zakat and Charitable Estate Planning?

Including zakat and charitable giving in an estate plan can raise important questions. An attorney who understands both Illinois estate planning law and Islamic charitable principles can help make sure your wishes are clear and enforceable.

An attorney can help by:

• Writing clear instructions for paying owed zakat after death

• Structuring charitable gifts so they comply with Illinois law

• Choosing the right tools, such as wills or trusts

• Making sure all estate documents work together

• Reducing the risk of delays, disputes, or confusion for loved ones

Working with an attorney who understands Islamic law helps ensure your estate plan reflects your values and carries out your intentions properly.

Contact an Oakbrook Terrace, IL Islamic Estate Planning Attorney

At Farooqi & Husain Law Office, Attorney Naveed Husain brings legal experience and strong knowledge of Islamic family and estate matters, helping clients understand how religious practice and Illinois law work together. Attorney Ausaf Farooqi is also an experienced immigration and estate planning attorney and is among the few Muslim lawyers with a deep understanding of how Islamic personal law fits within U.S. law.

Together, they help families plan for the future with confidence and purpose. If you have questions about merging your religious beliefs with your estate plan, call our DuPage County, IL Islamic estate planning lawyers at 630-909-9114 to schedule a consultation and discuss how your estate plan can reflect your charitable goals and values.