Zakat on money collected for charitable projects
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Fatwa number ( 11954 )
Q: We are a limited family of no more than twenty-eight members. We, the adult men, have agreed among ourselves that each of us will pay one hundred riyals per month into a cooperative fund. This fund is kept for any incident, God forbid, that would require a payment from the kin group (al-‘aqilah). It is not permissible to dispose of it for any other purpose without the consent of all members. The amount does not return to its owner during his lifetime, but only to his heirs after his death. Does zakat become obligatory on such an amount? We are aware that we continue to pay zakat, and I have read your book (Al-Fatawa), Part One, page 108, and read the fatwa similar to my topic. However, I would like your answer to my question after my study so that my heart may be at ease. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: As long as the amount returns to his heirs after his death, zakah is obligatory on all of it every year. However, if they leave out this condition and make the money a means of drawing near to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), to be spent in the causes they have designated, without returning to its owner or his heirs, then there is no zakah on it. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We are a limited family of no more than twenty-eight members. We, the adult men, have agreed among ourselves that each of us will pay one hundred riyals per month into a cooperative fund. This fund is kept for any incident, God forbid, that would require a payment from the kin group (al-‘aqilah). It is not permissible to dispose of it for any other purpose without the consent of all members. The amount does not return to its owner during his lifetime, but only to his heirs after his death. Does zakat become obligatory on such an amount? We are aware that we continue to pay zakat, and I have read your book (Al-Fatawa), Part One, page 108, and read the fatwa similar to my topic. However, I would like your answer to my question after my study so that my heart may be at ease. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: As long as the amount returns to his heirs after his death, zakah is obligatory on all of it every year. However, if they leave out this condition and make the money a means of drawing near to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), to be spent in the causes they have designated, without returning to its owner or his heirs, then there is no zakah on it. 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.