Is it permissible to send zakah to some needy countries where there is no needy Muslim in Sweden?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for us to send zakah to some needy countries, given that there is no needy Muslim here in Sweden?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible if a person is in a country where there are no needy people to whom zakah is due; in that case, the zakah may be sent to other countries. In this situation, a person should look to the countries in greatest need and send the zakah to them.
However, let the sending of the zakah be to trustworthy hands that fear Allah and show mercy to the servants of Allah. For among the people to whom zakah or aid is sent are those who do not fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and do not show mercy to the servants of Allah. You will find that they either dispose of it for themselves, or dispose of it by favoring a relative or a friend or the like.
Therefore, one of the most important things regarding the donations, charity, and zakah that are sent is that the recipient be trustworthy and knowledgeable about how these funds are to be spent.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible if a person is in a country where there are no needy people to whom zakah is due; in that case, the zakah may be sent to other countries. In this situation, a person should look to the countries in greatest need and send the zakah to them.
However, let the sending of the zakah be to trustworthy hands that fear Allah and show mercy to the servants of Allah. For among the people to whom zakah or aid is sent are those who do not fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and do not show mercy to the servants of Allah. You will find that they either dispose of it for themselves, or dispose of it by favoring a relative or a friend or the like.
Therefore, one of the most important things regarding the donations, charity, and zakah that are sent is that the recipient be trustworthy and knowledgeable about how these funds are to be spent.