What is the ruling on one who gives his zakah to one who does not deserve it?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. Regarding a man who pays his zakah annually, but he pays it to one who does not deserve it, does this zakah suffice for him?
The Shaykh : It does not suffice for him. One who pays zakah to one who is not qualified is like one who did not pay it. However, if he is convinced in his mind that the person is qualified, and it later turns out that he was not qualified, then it suffices for him.
The questioner : He used to pay it to a poor person, but this poor person is now, meaning, in a comfortable financial situation, and he continued with this.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to continue, as long as he knows that his poverty has ended. Yes.
The Shaykh : It does not suffice for him. One who pays zakah to one who is not qualified is like one who did not pay it. However, if he is convinced in his mind that the person is qualified, and it later turns out that he was not qualified, then it suffices for him.
The questioner : He used to pay it to a poor person, but this poor person is now, meaning, in a comfortable financial situation, and he continued with this.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to continue, as long as he knows that his poverty has ended. Yes.