Disposing of zakah among the poor of the country where the wealth is located
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Fatwa number ( 14451 )
Q: We have a cousin in Riyadh , and may Allah bless him, who pays zakah annually and sends me personally a large amount to spend according to my knowledge of the needy in my village. Allah knows that I am diligent in spending it on the needy from my specific community, as well as the needy from the general Muslim population. Some of the brothers have said that restricting it to the closest needy relatives from our clan is better, and distributing it
among them. Is it permissible to restrict it to them only, or should I continue as I did before? Knowing that the owner did not condition its distribution on anyone specific, but rather on my knowledge and awareness of the needy from my clan and the general Muslim population. Also, is it permissible for me to take something from it? Since I work on it and distribute it, knowing that I have not taken anything previously.
A : The principle is that zakah is to be disposed of among the poor of the country where the wealth is located; for what is established in the hadith of Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him when he sent him to Yemen :Sahih Muslim 19a However, if there is a stronger legitimate interest, such as the poor of a farther country being in greater need, or the poor being relatives, there is no harm in transferring the zakah to them. They are to be given the amount sufficient for their needs for one year. It is not permissible for you to take from the zakah in exchange for distributing it, but you should seek reward and recompense from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), for the one who guides to good is like the one who does it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We have a cousin in Riyadh , and may Allah bless him, who pays zakah annually and sends me personally a large amount to spend according to my knowledge of the needy in my village. Allah knows that I am diligent in spending it on the needy from my specific community, as well as the needy from the general Muslim population. Some of the brothers have said that restricting it to the closest needy relatives from our clan is better, and distributing it
among them. Is it permissible to restrict it to them only, or should I continue as I did before? Knowing that the owner did not condition its distribution on anyone specific, but rather on my knowledge and awareness of the needy from my clan and the general Muslim population. Also, is it permissible for me to take something from it? Since I work on it and distribute it, knowing that I have not taken anything previously.
A : The principle is that zakah is to be disposed of among the poor of the country where the wealth is located; for what is established in the hadith of Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him when he sent him to Yemen :
then tell them that Allah has made Zakat obligatory for them that it should be collected from the rich and distributed among the poor
فأخبرهم أن الله افترض عليهم صدقة تؤخذ من أغنيائهم فترد على فقرائهم
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.