Is it permissible to send zakah from Saudi Arabia to Sudan? I am currently working in Saudi Arabia and have sent the zakah there. Thank you.
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The questioner : Is it permissible to send zakah from Saudi Arabia to Sudan? I am currently working in Saudi Arabia and have sent the zakah there. Thank you.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible to send zakah from Saudi Arabia to Sudan, or to any other Muslim country, or to any Muslim who is entitled to it anywhere in the world, because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:[At-Tawbah 9:60] to the end of the verse.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Therefore, wherever these people are found, they are the recipients of zakah, and it may be distributed to them. However, it is preferable for a person to distribute it in the country where the wealth is located.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is because the poor of that country have claims upon it, so it should not be withheld from them or the zakah sent away from them. Unless there is a benefit in paying the zakah in another country, such as the recipient in the other country being a relative of the one paying, or being in greater need than those in his own country, or for other such considerations. In such cases, what is considered less preferable may become the more preferable.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible to send zakah from Saudi Arabia to Sudan, or to any other Muslim country, or to any Muslim who is entitled to it anywhere in the world, because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Therefore, wherever these people are found, they are the recipients of zakah, and it may be distributed to them. However, it is preferable for a person to distribute it in the country where the wealth is located.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is because the poor of that country have claims upon it, so it should not be withheld from them or the zakah sent away from them. Unless there is a benefit in paying the zakah in another country, such as the recipient in the other country being a relative of the one paying, or being in greater need than those in his own country, or for other such considerations. In such cases, what is considered less preferable may become the more preferable.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.