What is the right of those who work in zakah committees? And does the statement of the Exalted, “and those who administer them,” apply to them?

The questioner: Give us a ruling on the zakah committees that have spread throughout the country. What is the right of those who work in this matter? And does the statement of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He), , apply to them?

The Shaykh: No, it does not apply; because these people appointed themselves. The verse is for the rulers, meaning those with whom the funds are collected, and who employ people from among the knowledgeable. It is permissible for them to be given [a share]. As for people who appoint themselves, as some people do—for example, someone who wants to build a mosque, so he collects funds and permits himself to dispose of a large or small portion of this money, traveling here and there at the expense of this money—this is never permissible for him. Rather, he must collect the money for the account of the mosque. If he has the ability to volunteer his person and his money, he should do so; otherwise, our Lord does not burden him, and he should not make room for his own desires.
Likewise, it is not permissible for these people who appointed themselves to collect zakah funds to appoint themselves and take money from the zakah on the pretext that they are those who administer it; because this is a function of the state, like other functions.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh: This is the answer for us!

The questioner: In reality, what exists, of course, this statement applies to the current reality.

The Shaykh: Of course, of course. Where did the doctor go, is he gone or present?

The questioner: No...

The Shaykh: I think, Doctor, that I have answered the question.

Another questioner: I had left.