A poor man has a wealthy friend who wants to pay his zakah, so the poor friend says to him, "Give me a portion of your wealth to spend on some needy families," meaning himself.
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The questioner : His third question is: A poor man has a wealthy, affluent friend. When the wealthy friend wants to pay his zakah, the poor man says to him, "Give me a portion of the money to spend on your behalf for some needy families," meaning himself, but he is too shy to state his need explicitly. The wealthy man gives him the money on the condition that he distribute it to the needy, so he takes it, and he is truly in need. Is it permissible to take zakah in this manner?
The Shaykh : This is forbidden for him and not permissible.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is a breach of trust, because his friend gives it to him as an agent to pay it to others, but he takes it for himself. The scholars have stated that an agent is not permitted to dispose of what he was entrusted with for his own benefit. Accordingly, it is obligatory for him to clarify to his friend that what he had been taking previously was being spent on himself. If the friend approves, that is fine. If he does not approve, then the one who disposed of it in this manner is liable to guarantee it; that is, he must guarantee what he took for himself so that the zakah is paid on behalf of his friend. On this occasion, I would like to point out an issue that some ignorant people do: a person is poor, so he takes charity or zakah, then Allah makes him wealthy, but people continue to give him as a matter of habit.
The questioner : On the assumption that he is still poor.
The Shaykh : On the assumption that he has not ceased to be poor.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he takes it. Some people take it and eat it, saying, "I did not ask for it; this is sustenance that Allah directed to me." This is forbidden and not permissible, because it is forbidden for one whom Allah the Exalted has made wealthy to take anything from the zakah. Some people take it and then give it to others without being appointed as an agent by the owner of the zakah. This is also forbidden, and it is not permissible for him to dispose of it in this manner. Although this is less severe than the first case, it is forbidden for him to do this, and he is obligated to guarantee the zakah to its owner if the owner did not give him permission and did not approve of his action. If this person is truthful, he should say to the owner of the zakah who gave it to him, "Allah has made me wealthy, but if you wish, I can give it to someone I consider worthy." If the owner gives him permission, that is fine; otherwise, he should return it to him. Yes.
The Shaykh : This is forbidden for him and not permissible.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is a breach of trust, because his friend gives it to him as an agent to pay it to others, but he takes it for himself. The scholars have stated that an agent is not permitted to dispose of what he was entrusted with for his own benefit. Accordingly, it is obligatory for him to clarify to his friend that what he had been taking previously was being spent on himself. If the friend approves, that is fine. If he does not approve, then the one who disposed of it in this manner is liable to guarantee it; that is, he must guarantee what he took for himself so that the zakah is paid on behalf of his friend. On this occasion, I would like to point out an issue that some ignorant people do: a person is poor, so he takes charity or zakah, then Allah makes him wealthy, but people continue to give him as a matter of habit.
The questioner : On the assumption that he is still poor.
The Shaykh : On the assumption that he has not ceased to be poor.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he takes it. Some people take it and eat it, saying, "I did not ask for it; this is sustenance that Allah directed to me." This is forbidden and not permissible, because it is forbidden for one whom Allah the Exalted has made wealthy to take anything from the zakah. Some people take it and then give it to others without being appointed as an agent by the owner of the zakah. This is also forbidden, and it is not permissible for him to dispose of it in this manner. Although this is less severe than the first case, it is forbidden for him to do this, and he is obligated to guarantee the zakah to its owner if the owner did not give him permission and did not approve of his action. If this person is truthful, he should say to the owner of the zakah who gave it to him, "Allah has made me wealthy, but if you wish, I can give it to someone I consider worthy." If the owner gives him permission, that is fine; otherwise, he should return it to him. Yes.