Is it permissible to give zakat al-fitr in any country, even if it is not an Islamic country? For example, if the festival catches me while I am in a country other than my own, should I instruct my family to give the zakat, or should I give it myself?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : This message reached us from a questioner who clarified that he sent the message after 'Id al-Fitr, but perhaps it did not reach you until after the festival. He asks: Is it permissible to give zakat al-fitr in any country, even if it is not an Islamic country? For example, if the festival catches me while I am in a country other than my own, should I instruct my family to give the zakat, or should I give it myself?
The Shaykh : If you are in a country where there are no Muslims, you must appoint someone to perform it on your behalf in a country where there are Muslims. If you are in a country where there are Muslims, even if it is not your home country, give the zakat in the country where you are, especially if you are in Makkah or al-Madinah, due to the honor of the place.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then you give it there, yes.
The Shaykh : If you are in a country where there are no Muslims, you must appoint someone to perform it on your behalf in a country where there are Muslims. If you are in a country where there are Muslims, even if it is not your home country, give the zakat in the country where you are, especially if you are in Makkah or al-Madinah, due to the honor of the place.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then you give it there, yes.