Are the fees for transferring money via Western Union counted as part of Zakaah money? For example, if I have to pay 215 Euros as Zakaah, I send 100 of it to a person in my country and the rest of the amount to someone else via Western Union. This person will receive only 100 Euros because the transfer fee for this amount is 15 Euros. In such a case, should I deduct the fee from the Zakaah money (i.e. send 100 Euros plus another 15 as a transfer fee all from the Zakaah money) or should I pay the transfer fee separately (i.e. send 115 Euros and another 15 outside Zakaah to cover the transfer fees). What is the correct procedure?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

If the owner of the money wants to transfer it, the transfer fee should be paid from his own money and not from Zakah money. This is clearly stated by a group of scholars including Imaam An-Nawawi in Al-Majmoo‘, as he said: "In cases where transferring the Zakah money is permissible or obligatory, then the owner should pay the fees from his own money."

Hence, you have to pay the fees of sending the Zakah money via Western Union from your money and not from the Zakah money.

Allaah Knows best.