Is it permissible for one who is entrusted with distributing zakah funds to give to the committed poor brothers who are dignified and do not ask people persistently, given that
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The questioner : Shaykh, some of the brothers—for example—receive charity and zakah funds. It is known, Shaykh, that this brother of ours, for instance, has a family of three or four people, and his salary of one hundred dinars is not enough for fifteen or twenty days of the month. He is committed, dignified, does not ask people persistently, does not ask anyone, and no one knows about his situation. Some families are in greater need than him, but they may receive from other sources. So if a person wants to give to his brothers whom he believes are in need of a little money, and gives them from the zakah funds, knowing that others are more in need than them—does his action count as good for the brothers whom we consider to be righteous and good?
The Shaykh : There is a contradiction in your statement.
The questioner : My Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Because you said regarding the others that they may receive from other sources.
The questioner : And it is possible that they do not receive.
The Shaykh : In any case, the person entrusted with distributing zakah must be trustworthy, without doubt, and he must be wise in placing the zakah in its proper places, such that he envisions that these zakah funds, if I may use the expression, are his own money. So what would he do with his money? Would he give it to the one you describe as committed, a known friend, poor, with a family, and so on? Or would he give it to the others, male or female, who have or may have another source of income? What would he do if this money were his own? He would apply that standard. Is that clear?
The questioner : And the sin is lifted from him after this.
The Shaykh : There is no sin on him, naturally, and no blame. The basis from which we derive this result is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 13. Your brother gave you the zakah of his wealth so that you place it in a prescribed place. If you had this money, you would put it in the hands of so-and-so, not in the hands of so-and-so or so-and-so. So do for your brother what you would love for yourself. And when a person observes this principle, he will be saved from many pitfalls of the self’s desires. And this is the answer, if Allah wills.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Please proceed.
The Shaykh : There is a contradiction in your statement.
The questioner : My Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Because you said regarding the others that they may receive from other sources.
The questioner : And it is possible that they do not receive.
The Shaykh : In any case, the person entrusted with distributing zakah must be trustworthy, without doubt, and he must be wise in placing the zakah in its proper places, such that he envisions that these zakah funds, if I may use the expression, are his own money. So what would he do with his money? Would he give it to the one you describe as committed, a known friend, poor, with a family, and so on? Or would he give it to the others, male or female, who have or may have another source of income? What would he do if this money were his own? He would apply that standard. Is that clear?
The questioner : And the sin is lifted from him after this.
The Shaykh : There is no sin on him, naturally, and no blame. The basis from which we derive this result is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.
لا يؤمن أحدكم حتَّى يحبَّ لأخيه ما يحبُّ لنفسهThe questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Please proceed.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.