You mentioned that the presence of the righteous in societies is a cause of salvation. If someone were to use this as evidence for distributing zakah to the righteous, on the grounds that their benefit extends to others, like a student of knowledge?
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The questioner : You mentioned that the presence of the righteous in societies is a cause of salvation.
The Shaykh : On the condition that they fulfill the obligatory duties, as we specified.
The questioner : If someone were to use this as evidence for distributing zakah to the righteous, on the grounds that their benefit extends to others, like a student of knowledge?
The Shaykh : No, no, it does not extend. This is not an extending benefit, because the benefit of the righteous person is generally for himself, unlike the student of knowledge. The student of knowledge preserves the Shari'ah and conveys it to the people. The righteous do not have knowledge of the Shari'ah with which to defend it. For this reason, people divide the people of good into scholars and worshippers, and one category is not part of the other.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : The term "righteous" is general. Every person who fulfills the right of Allah and the right of the people is righteous.
The Shaykh : On the condition that they fulfill the obligatory duties, as we specified.
The questioner : If someone were to use this as evidence for distributing zakah to the righteous, on the grounds that their benefit extends to others, like a student of knowledge?
The Shaykh : No, no, it does not extend. This is not an extending benefit, because the benefit of the righteous person is generally for himself, unlike the student of knowledge. The student of knowledge preserves the Shari'ah and conveys it to the people. The righteous do not have knowledge of the Shari'ah with which to defend it. For this reason, people divide the people of good into scholars and worshippers, and one category is not part of the other.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : The term "righteous" is general. Every person who fulfills the right of Allah and the right of the people is righteous.