If you are not in need of zakah, do not take it, even if it is given to you

The questioner : Please. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. How are you, Shaykh? Well, and all praise is due to Allah. Shaykh, I have a question, but I work in a commercial shop here in Saudi Arabia, and at the end of Ramadan, the shop owner gives the workers two thousand Saudi riyals, meaning he calculates it.

The Shaykh : You do not work in a commercial shop here.

The questioner : At the end of Ramadan, the shop owner gives each of us two thousand riyals. Does he consider it zakah?

The Shaykh : All right.

The questioner : Is it permissible to take it or not?

The Shaykh : Are you in a state of wealth regarding it, or not?

The questioner : By Allah, the salary is more, meaning the salary is two thousand Saudi riyals.

The Shaykh : But do you have a family to provide for?

The questioner : Yes, I do.

The Shaykh : And are they in need or not?

The questioner : They are in need, but it is not a dire necessity.

The Shaykh : Yes, return it.

The questioner : Okay, if I gave it to those who are entitled to it, he does not know.

The Shaykh : No, no, it is not permissible.

The questioner : Even if you sought their permission.

The Shaykh : However, if you sought permission, there is no harm, if you said to him, “By Allah, I am in a state of wealth regarding it, but I know people who are in need.”

The questioner : If you were in need of it, it would be permissible to take it.

The Shaykh : If you are in need, it is permissible to take it; otherwise, it is not.

The questioner : Okay, Shaykh. May Allah reward you