المعنى
What is the ruling on concealing charitable spending?
الجواب
Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:
Scholars agree that concealing voluntary charity is better than showing it. As for obligatory charity (zakāt), there are two opinions:
- Showing it is better. [Ibn ʿAbbās, Qāḍī Abū Yaʿlā] Al-Zajjāj said: "Concealing zakāt during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) was better, but today people think ill of others, so revealing it is better."
- Concealing it is better. [Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, Yazīd ibn Abī Ḥabīb] This is for two reasons: (i) For the giver: it keeps him away from showing off, brings him closer to sincerity, and avoids the inclination of the soul towards public display. (ii) For the recipient: it protects him from humiliation by hiding his need, as public giving may break his spirit.

