Is research-and-policy work zakat-eligible?

Generally no under the majority scholarly view, since funds don't reach individual beneficiaries directly. Sadaqah is the appropriate form of giving for this category.

How do we evaluate research organizations?

Publication volume and citations, policy adoption when traceable, and whether research is peer-reviewed or self-published. We weight methodological transparency heavily.

Why fund research at all?

Compounding impact — good research shapes downstream policy, public perception, and community self-understanding in ways direct service can't. The tradeoff is delayed and uncertain returns.

How do you spot low-quality research?

No independent peer review, no raw data release, consistently conclusion-first analysis, and no external citation track record are warning signs.

JULY 2026 · 1448 AH|169 CHARITIES|METHODOLOGY v5.2.0 · UPDATED JUL 18CHANGELOG

Good MeasureGivingBeta

Cause

Best Muslim Research & Policy Charities

Research institutes, policy think tanks, and applied-research nonprofits serving the Muslim American community. Impact here is inherently indirect — influencing public discourse or policy frameworks — and is among the hardest to measure.

Evaluated charities

Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research66/100 The Family & Youth Institute64/100 Institute for Social Policy and Understanding56/100 International Institute of Islamic Thought49/100 Hearts foundation

Frequently asked questions

Is research-and-policy work zakat-eligible?: Generally no under the majority scholarly view, since funds don't reach individual beneficiaries directly. Sadaqah is the appropriate form of giving for this category.
How do we evaluate research organizations?: Publication volume and citations, policy adoption when traceable, and whether research is peer-reviewed or self-published. We weight methodological transparency heavily.
Why fund research at all?: Compounding impact — good research shapes downstream policy, public perception, and community self-understanding in ways direct service can't. The tradeoff is delayed and uncertain returns.
How do you spot low-quality research?: No independent peer review, no raw data release, consistently conclusion-first analysis, and no external citation track record are warning signs.

Cause

Best Muslim Research & Policy Charities

Evaluated charities

Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research66/100 The Family & Youth Institute64/100 Institute for Social Policy and Understanding56/100 International Institute of Islamic Thought49/100 Hearts foundation

Frequently asked questions

Is research-and-policy work zakat-eligible?: Generally no under the majority scholarly view, since funds don't reach individual beneficiaries directly. Sadaqah is the appropriate form of giving for this category.
How do we evaluate research organizations?: Publication volume and citations, policy adoption when traceable, and whether research is peer-reviewed or self-published. We weight methodological transparency heavily.
Why fund research at all?: Compounding impact — good research shapes downstream policy, public perception, and community self-understanding in ways direct service can't. The tradeoff is delayed and uncertain returns.
How do you spot low-quality research?: No independent peer review, no raw data release, consistently conclusion-first analysis, and no external citation track record are warning signs.