The Wisdom in Disposing of an Orphan's Wealth
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
A man is a guardian over orphans and widows, and he has zakah on his wealth. He fears that if he pays this money to the widows, they will mishandle it.So he said: Should I give them some of the money and dispose of the rest on their behalf?
This is good.Meaning: The guardian of an orphan should not give him the money when it comes to him; this is obligatory. If he gives him the money, he will ruin it. It is obligatory that the money remains with the guardian. If the orphan needs something, he spends on him from it.
And here is a note that one must be aware of: It is not permissible to take from the zakah for the orphans more than what they need for one year. If it exceeds their need for the year, they no longer qualify for zakah. This is a matter that requires attention, because many people take from the zakah for orphans, and then they end up with a lot of money. This is forbidden for him.For example: If it is estimated that ten thousand riyals will suffice them for the year, it is not permissible to take ten thousand and one hundred. The threshold of wealth that prevents one from taking zakah is that a person finds what suffices him for a year.
The questioner: I mean: this money, even if it is the zakah of the guardian's own wealth?The Shaykh: Even if it is his own wealth, there is no harm in spending on them from it.
This is good.Meaning: The guardian of an orphan should not give him the money when it comes to him; this is obligatory. If he gives him the money, he will ruin it. It is obligatory that the money remains with the guardian. If the orphan needs something, he spends on him from it.
And here is a note that one must be aware of: It is not permissible to take from the zakah for the orphans more than what they need for one year. If it exceeds their need for the year, they no longer qualify for zakah. This is a matter that requires attention, because many people take from the zakah for orphans, and then they end up with a lot of money. This is forbidden for him.For example: If it is estimated that ten thousand riyals will suffice them for the year, it is not permissible to take ten thousand and one hundred. The threshold of wealth that prevents one from taking zakah is that a person finds what suffices him for a year.
The questioner: I mean: this money, even if it is the zakah of the guardian's own wealth?The Shaykh: Even if it is his own wealth, there is no harm in spending on them from it.