Zakat al-Fitr
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Question: We see some of those who collect Zakat al-Fitr gathering the alms in one place and selling them in another. Is it permissible to give to these people? And is it permissible to buy from them, provided we are certain that what they have collected is the alms of the people?
Answer: A person must verify the need of the poor person to whom he gives Zakat al-Fitr and verify his entitlement to it. If it becomes apparent to him that this person needs charity, he gives it to him, and he is not responsible for how the person disposes of it.
The person who receives it may sell it, give it as a gift, eat it, or give it as charity on his own behalf. The giver is not responsible as long as the person who received it is entitled to it and the giver is convinced of that. However, if he knows that the person is not entitled to it and is wealthy, it is not permissible to give it to him. The fact that they are exposed in the street and asking for it is evidence of their need, but the giver should verify. And if he knows that there is someone in greater need than them, he should give it to the one in greater need.
As for buying it from the seller, it is not permissible for the one who gives charity, whether Zakat al-Fitr or otherwise, to buy the alms. Neither the alms on wealth, nor Zakat al-Fitr, nor any other charity. If a person gives something as charity, it is not permissible for him to buy it back or reclaim it.
Question: Perhaps the questioner intends to ask: if he sees this needy person taking alms from one place and going to sell it in another place, is it permissible for him to buy from him so that he can also give his alms?
Answer: He should not buy back the charity that he himself gave to him. As for buying from him the charities of others, there is no objection; this is permissible.
Question: Regarding Zakat al-Fitr, when we buy it from the sellers, we find many needy people sitting and asking for it, so we distribute it to them. But some of them do not take a full sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg). Is it a condition that feeding one poor person must not be less than a sa'?
Or is it permissible even if it is less than that?
Answer: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as a sa' of barley or similar food. It is permissible for the Muslim to give the sa' to one person or to several people. The important thing is that the giver gives a full sa'. As for the recipients, there is no objection if several people share the charity of one person.
Answer: A person must verify the need of the poor person to whom he gives Zakat al-Fitr and verify his entitlement to it. If it becomes apparent to him that this person needs charity, he gives it to him, and he is not responsible for how the person disposes of it.
The person who receives it may sell it, give it as a gift, eat it, or give it as charity on his own behalf. The giver is not responsible as long as the person who received it is entitled to it and the giver is convinced of that. However, if he knows that the person is not entitled to it and is wealthy, it is not permissible to give it to him. The fact that they are exposed in the street and asking for it is evidence of their need, but the giver should verify. And if he knows that there is someone in greater need than them, he should give it to the one in greater need.
As for buying it from the seller, it is not permissible for the one who gives charity, whether Zakat al-Fitr or otherwise, to buy the alms. Neither the alms on wealth, nor Zakat al-Fitr, nor any other charity. If a person gives something as charity, it is not permissible for him to buy it back or reclaim it.
Question: Perhaps the questioner intends to ask: if he sees this needy person taking alms from one place and going to sell it in another place, is it permissible for him to buy from him so that he can also give his alms?
Answer: He should not buy back the charity that he himself gave to him. As for buying from him the charities of others, there is no objection; this is permissible.
Question: Regarding Zakat al-Fitr, when we buy it from the sellers, we find many needy people sitting and asking for it, so we distribute it to them. But some of them do not take a full sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg). Is it a condition that feeding one poor person must not be less than a sa'?
Or is it permissible even if it is less than that?
Answer: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as a sa' of barley or similar food. It is permissible for the Muslim to give the sa' to one person or to several people. The important thing is that the giver gives a full sa'. As for the recipients, there is no objection if several people share the charity of one person.