What is the ruling on a man asking for zakah from the owner of wealth if he considers himself among those entitled to zakah?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, what is the ruling on a man asking for zakah from the owner of wealth if he considers himself among those entitled to zakah?
The Shaykh : How? What is the ruling?
The questioner : A man asking for zakah if he considers himself among those entitled to it?
The Shaykh : Yes, meaning, is it permissible for a person who is entitled to zakah to ask people for it? The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) stated that whoever is permitted to take something is permitted to ask for it. Pay attention to this principle: "Whoever is permitted to take something is permitted to ask for it". So if this man is truly among the people of zakah and entitled to it, he may ask. However, we say that the best course is to be patient and not ask people, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a pledge from his Companions not to ask people for anything. In fact, if a man’s stick fell from his camel, he would not say, "Hand it to me, so-and-so," but would dismount himself and pick up the stick. So, if a person is truly among the people of zakah, he may ask for the amount of his need only. Nevertheless, we see that the best and most preferable course is to be patient, because Allah the Exalted praised the patient in this regard and said:[Al-Baqarah 2:273].
The Shaykh : How? What is the ruling?
The questioner : A man asking for zakah if he considers himself among those entitled to it?
The Shaykh : Yes, meaning, is it permissible for a person who is entitled to zakah to ask people for it? The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) stated that whoever is permitted to take something is permitted to ask for it. Pay attention to this principle: "Whoever is permitted to take something is permitted to ask for it". So if this man is truly among the people of zakah and entitled to it, he may ask. However, we say that the best course is to be patient and not ask people, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a pledge from his Companions not to ask people for anything. In fact, if a man’s stick fell from his camel, he would not say, "Hand it to me, so-and-so," but would dismount himself and pick up the stick. So, if a person is truly among the people of zakah, he may ask for the amount of his need only. Nevertheless, we see that the best and most preferable course is to be patient, because Allah the Exalted praised the patient in this regard and said: