There is a zakah committee under associations that requires a certificate of maintaining prayer, but some applicants miss the Fajr prayer

The questioner : Yes, Shaykh. He says, Shaykh: There is a zakah committee under associations that requires, meaning attendance or, for example, obtaining a certificate of maintaining prayer. But some applicants miss the Fajr prayer, and this committee emphasizes that Fajr prayer is mandatory. What is your opinion on this?

The Shaykh : Meaning: it does not give anyone from the zakah unless he performs the prayer?

The questioner : Specifically the Fajr prayer.

The Shaykh : Meaning: they say this?

The questioner : Yes, that is correct.

The Shaykh : But they are eligible for zakah?

The questioner : Yes, that is correct.

The Shaykh : It is not permissible for them to do this.

The questioner : He prays and maintains the prayers, but he may be lax with Fajr or may fall asleep.

The Shaykh : I say: It is not permissible for this committee to make it a condition for giving zakah, to make it a condition in giving zakah that the recipient be upright. This is an addition. Allah the Exalted said: And this is a poor person who is eligible. So it is not permissible for them to do that. It is not among the conditions for a poor person’s eligibility that he be just. Yes. But give it to him and encourage him to be upright, perhaps he will become upright. Yes.