Paying the zakah of fruits to the committee established by the one in authority
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Fatwa number ( 12567 )
Q: Since we took over the distribution of the zakah of dates in Riyadh , we have faced some problems. For example: when a farmer is visited by a zakah recipient with a referral from the committee for a specific quantity of dates, the farmer says: "I have already paid the zakah to people I know." Some say: "I do not have dates that are subject to zakah." And some say: "I am a worker and do not have dates, and the owner's address and residence are unknown." Therefore, we presented the situation to the competent department in the Ministry of Finance, and they instructed us to present it to your Eminence for guidance on what you see fit. Do we accept the statement of the one who says he has paid the zakah on his date palms? Do we accept the statement of the one who says he does not have dates subject to zakah, when the committee has assessed a quantity of dates for him? And what is obligatory for the committee when the recipient visits the farmer and does not find the owner, but finds a worker who refuses to pay the assessed zakah? I hope your Eminence will graciously guide us on what you see fit. May Allah benefit you and guide your steps.
A: First: It is obligatory for the competent department to issue a general directive to farmers that they must not dispose of the zakah or pay it to anyone other than the committee approved by the one in authority or its representative, and their signatures must be taken acknowledging that they have
been notified, and after that, their claim that they distributed it to someone other than the committee is not accepted. Second: The statement of any farmer who says he is not subject to zakah is not accepted if the committee has assessed zakah on him; because they are more aware of the reality and are responsible, and the zakah on the amount of dates assessed for him is taken from him. Third: One who claims that he is not the owner of the fruit but is a worker is not obligated to hand over the zakah; rather, the owner is obligated to pay it. The worker is asked to indicate the location of the owner, and so are the neighbors. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Since we took over the distribution of the zakah of dates in Riyadh , we have faced some problems. For example: when a farmer is visited by a zakah recipient with a referral from the committee for a specific quantity of dates, the farmer says: "I have already paid the zakah to people I know." Some say: "I do not have dates that are subject to zakah." And some say: "I am a worker and do not have dates, and the owner's address and residence are unknown." Therefore, we presented the situation to the competent department in the Ministry of Finance, and they instructed us to present it to your Eminence for guidance on what you see fit. Do we accept the statement of the one who says he has paid the zakah on his date palms? Do we accept the statement of the one who says he does not have dates subject to zakah, when the committee has assessed a quantity of dates for him? And what is obligatory for the committee when the recipient visits the farmer and does not find the owner, but finds a worker who refuses to pay the assessed zakah? I hope your Eminence will graciously guide us on what you see fit. May Allah benefit you and guide your steps.
A: First: It is obligatory for the competent department to issue a general directive to farmers that they must not dispose of the zakah or pay it to anyone other than the committee approved by the one in authority or its representative, and their signatures must be taken acknowledging that they have
been notified, and after that, their claim that they distributed it to someone other than the committee is not accepted. Second: The statement of any farmer who says he is not subject to zakah is not accepted if the committee has assessed zakah on him; because they are more aware of the reality and are responsible, and the zakah on the amount of dates assessed for him is taken from him. Third: One who claims that he is not the owner of the fruit but is a worker is not obligated to hand over the zakah; rather, the owner is obligated to pay it. The worker is asked to indicate the location of the owner, and so are the neighbors. 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.