Spending Zakah in the Cause of Allah and What Is Intended by It
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Fatwa No. ( 2319 )
Q: It is not hidden from Your Eminence that the Pattani National Liberation Front is leading the jihad of the Muslim people in the Islamic states in southern Thailand , known as (Pattani), against the Buddhist Thai government to reclaim their usurped rights and to establish an Islamic state based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). In its blessed jihad journey, the Front suffers from a lack of material capabilities due to the absence of specific resources to rely on, as it has not received material assistance from any Islamic or Arab country, even though the issue of the Muslims in Pattani is a matter of interest for some Islamic countries, foremost among them being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , considering it the pioneer of Islamic countries in raising this issue before Islamic conferences, whether those held inside the Kingdom or outside it. The Front has resorted, in its effort to arrange funds to secure the necessary weapons, equipment, and supplies, to adopting methods of collecting money that conform to the noble Shari'ah of Allah, such as collecting donations from the generous, gifts, and bequests. However, there is a matter regarding which we do not know the opinion of Islam: Is it permissible for the Front to collect zakah from the wealthy Muslims and spend it on the Muslim mujahideen, and to expend it on purchasing weapons and equipment? The Front hopes that Your Eminence will issue a legal fatwa for this Front regarding this important question as a legal proof in our actions, which we hope Allah (Mighty and Majestic) will be pleased with us and our Islamic jihad, and will bless
our noble endeavors.
A: If the reality is as mentioned, regarding the jihad of the Muslim people in the Islamic states in southern Thailand to free themselves from the authority of the disbelievers and to establish an Islamic state based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), then it is permissible for the Liberation Front established for this purpose to collect zakah from the wealthy Muslims to spend it on the Muslim mujahideen and on purchasing military equipment for them so that they may fight in the cause of Allah and support His religion. Indeed, jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the eight categories of zakah spending mentioned by Allah the Exalted in His saying:[At-Tawbah 9:60] We ask Allah for everyone success in what pleases Him, victory, steadfastness upon the truth, and a good outcome. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: It is not hidden from Your Eminence that the Pattani National Liberation Front is leading the jihad of the Muslim people in the Islamic states in southern Thailand , known as (Pattani), against the Buddhist Thai government to reclaim their usurped rights and to establish an Islamic state based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). In its blessed jihad journey, the Front suffers from a lack of material capabilities due to the absence of specific resources to rely on, as it has not received material assistance from any Islamic or Arab country, even though the issue of the Muslims in Pattani is a matter of interest for some Islamic countries, foremost among them being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , considering it the pioneer of Islamic countries in raising this issue before Islamic conferences, whether those held inside the Kingdom or outside it. The Front has resorted, in its effort to arrange funds to secure the necessary weapons, equipment, and supplies, to adopting methods of collecting money that conform to the noble Shari'ah of Allah, such as collecting donations from the generous, gifts, and bequests. However, there is a matter regarding which we do not know the opinion of Islam: Is it permissible for the Front to collect zakah from the wealthy Muslims and spend it on the Muslim mujahideen, and to expend it on purchasing weapons and equipment? The Front hopes that Your Eminence will issue a legal fatwa for this Front regarding this important question as a legal proof in our actions, which we hope Allah (Mighty and Majestic) will be pleased with us and our Islamic jihad, and will bless
our noble endeavors.
A: If the reality is as mentioned, regarding the jihad of the Muslim people in the Islamic states in southern Thailand to free themselves from the authority of the disbelievers and to establish an Islamic state based on the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), then it is permissible for the Liberation Front established for this purpose to collect zakah from the wealthy Muslims to spend it on the Muslim mujahideen and on purchasing military equipment for them so that they may fight in the cause of Allah and support His religion. Indeed, jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the eight categories of zakah spending mentioned by Allah the Exalted in His saying:
Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.