The owner of a shop who does not earn enough to sustain himself: Is he given from the zakah?
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Fatwa number ( 19534 )
Q: There is a man from the group who is the head of a family consisting of eight people. He has a shop for buying and selling, but business is very weak, and it may not cover his household expenses, let alone the worker's wage, and the shop rent, which amounts to thirty-five thousand per year. Also, O esteemed Shaykh, he has many accumulated debts that he is unable to pay off. This is due to the weakness of the market, and because he purchased a house for his residence ten years ago. Finally, he suffered a heart clot and is under treatment, as the doctor advised him not to work at the present time. So our question, O esteemed Shaykh, is: Is it permissible to give him from the zakah? Because we and many people want to help him, but we do not know the legal ruling in this matter. And because he may be hesitant about it, but when he sees your honorable fatwa, the matter will become clear to him. Thank you, and may Allah preserve you and guide your steps.
A: If the situation is as you described regarding the man's condition and his inability to work, and if the money he has is not sufficient for his maintenance and paying off his debts, then there is no harm in giving him from the zakah what covers his need.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: There is a man from the group who is the head of a family consisting of eight people. He has a shop for buying and selling, but business is very weak, and it may not cover his household expenses, let alone the worker's wage, and the shop rent, which amounts to thirty-five thousand per year. Also, O esteemed Shaykh, he has many accumulated debts that he is unable to pay off. This is due to the weakness of the market, and because he purchased a house for his residence ten years ago. Finally, he suffered a heart clot and is under treatment, as the doctor advised him not to work at the present time. So our question, O esteemed Shaykh, is: Is it permissible to give him from the zakah? Because we and many people want to help him, but we do not know the legal ruling in this matter. And because he may be hesitant about it, but when he sees your honorable fatwa, the matter will become clear to him. Thank you, and may Allah preserve you and guide your steps.
A: If the situation is as you described regarding the man's condition and his inability to work, and if the money he has is not sufficient for his maintenance and paying off his debts, then there is no harm in giving him from the zakah what covers his need.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.