His other question states that he has heard some rumors regarding the permissibility of paying money in lieu of the in-kind zakah. Is this correct or not? May Allah guide you. Know that those who say this believe it is more beneficial for the poor.
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The questioner : His other question states that he has heard some rumors regarding the permissibility of paying money in lieu of the in-kind zakah. Is this correct or not? May Allah guide you. Know that those who say this believe it is more beneficial for the poor?
The Shaykh : As for zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible to pay money for it; rather, it is obligatory to pay it in food, because it was legislated in this form, and because paying it in food fulfills the poor person's need on the day of the festival. As for other types of zakah, the correct view is that it is permissible to pay the value if that is more beneficial for the poor, especially if the collector requests it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the one appointed by the state to collect zakah from its people, there is no blame on paying the zakah to him in value rather than in kind.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For example, if you are the owner of livestock, such as camels, sheep, or cattle, and the collector appointed by the government to collect zakah asks for dirhams in lieu of the camels for the zakat of camels, the sheep for the zakat of sheep, and the cattle for the zakat of cattle, then there is no blame on you in paying it in money.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Likewise, regarding the recent occurrence where many farmers take their crops to the mills and exchange them for dirhams, taking dirhams for them, there is no blame in paying one's zakah from these dirhams. If one irrigates with machines, one pays five percent, or five out of a hundred.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if one irrigates by flood irrigation, one pays ten out of a hundred.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated this issue: if a man sells his fruit or his crop, he pays one-tenth of its value. This is what he explicitly stated, and it is the very public benefit for both the payer and the receiver, for it is easier for the payer and clears his conscience, and it is more beneficial for the receiver.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you.
Dear gentlemen, we have reached the end of this session, in which we presented the letters of the honorable H, S, and M from the Al-Khalid family of Bani Malik from the south, and Ahmad Fayed from Jeddah, and Khalil ibn Ahmad from Amman, Jordan.
We presented the questions and inquiries that reached us in their letters to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, professor at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in al-Qassim, and imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque in Unayzah.
Thank you to Shaykh Muhammad, and thank you, my brothers. Until we meet again in your presence, we entrust you to Allah. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Shaykh : As for zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible to pay money for it; rather, it is obligatory to pay it in food, because it was legislated in this form, and because paying it in food fulfills the poor person's need on the day of the festival. As for other types of zakah, the correct view is that it is permissible to pay the value if that is more beneficial for the poor, especially if the collector requests it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the one appointed by the state to collect zakah from its people, there is no blame on paying the zakah to him in value rather than in kind.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For example, if you are the owner of livestock, such as camels, sheep, or cattle, and the collector appointed by the government to collect zakah asks for dirhams in lieu of the camels for the zakat of camels, the sheep for the zakat of sheep, and the cattle for the zakat of cattle, then there is no blame on you in paying it in money.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Likewise, regarding the recent occurrence where many farmers take their crops to the mills and exchange them for dirhams, taking dirhams for them, there is no blame in paying one's zakah from these dirhams. If one irrigates with machines, one pays five percent, or five out of a hundred.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if one irrigates by flood irrigation, one pays ten out of a hundred.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated this issue: if a man sells his fruit or his crop, he pays one-tenth of its value. This is what he explicitly stated, and it is the very public benefit for both the payer and the receiver, for it is easier for the payer and clears his conscience, and it is more beneficial for the receiver.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you.
Dear gentlemen, we have reached the end of this session, in which we presented the letters of the honorable H, S, and M from the Al-Khalid family of Bani Malik from the south, and Ahmad Fayed from Jeddah, and Khalil ibn Ahmad from Amman, Jordan.
We presented the questions and inquiries that reached us in their letters to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, professor at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in al-Qassim, and imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque in Unayzah.
Thank you to Shaykh Muhammad, and thank you, my brothers. Until we meet again in your presence, we entrust you to Allah. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.