Ruling on Giving Zakah to Those Affected by Drought in Africa
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Question:
Is it permissible to give zakah to those affected by the drought in Africa? And is it permissible for one upon whom zakah is obligatory to buy goods with it and send them to them?
Answer:
The people affected in Africa are among the most deserving of people. Assistance and consolation for what has befallen them of poverty, need, drought, and hunger are required. They are in the greatest need of the support of their Muslim brothers and their consolation through zakah and other means. Zakah is given to Muslims, and non-zakah charity is given to Muslims and to non-Muslims who are known to be in poverty and hunger.
Voluntary charity to disbelievers is permissible, as is voluntary charity and consolation. Likewise, reconciling the hearts of disbelievers from zakah is permissible. Allah has made it a right for the "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" among the disbelievers. It is permissible from zakah, and it is permissible from voluntary charity for their general benefit, as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said in His great Book: [Al-Mumtahanah: 8].
In the two Sahihs, it is narrated from Asma bint Abi Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with them both) that her mother visited her in Madinah while she was a disbeliever during the truce. Asma said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother has come to me in Madinah, and she is a disbeliever, and she desires that I maintain ties with her." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: He ordered her to maintain ties with her through wealth, even though she was a disbeliever, because she was not a warrior.
The non-warrior disbeliever who is a musta'min (granted safe conduct) or a dhimmi (under treaty) is given some wealth, is shown compassion, and is treated kindly. There is no harm in this, other than zakah. As for zakah, it is given to "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" among the leaders and the great, so that through kindness to them, their faith is strengthened, or the Islam of their peers is achieved, or their evil is restrained.
Is it permissible to give zakah to those affected by the drought in Africa? And is it permissible for one upon whom zakah is obligatory to buy goods with it and send them to them?
Answer:
The people affected in Africa are among the most deserving of people. Assistance and consolation for what has befallen them of poverty, need, drought, and hunger are required. They are in the greatest need of the support of their Muslim brothers and their consolation through zakah and other means. Zakah is given to Muslims, and non-zakah charity is given to Muslims and to non-Muslims who are known to be in poverty and hunger.
Voluntary charity to disbelievers is permissible, as is voluntary charity and consolation. Likewise, reconciling the hearts of disbelievers from zakah is permissible. Allah has made it a right for the "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" among the disbelievers. It is permissible from zakah, and it is permissible from voluntary charity for their general benefit, as He (Exalted and Majestic is He) said in His great Book:
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَIn the two Sahihs, it is narrated from Asma bint Abi Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with them both) that her mother visited her in Madinah while she was a disbeliever during the truce. Asma said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother has come to me in Madinah, and she is a disbeliever, and she desires that I maintain ties with her." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Pray it
صليهاThe non-warrior disbeliever who is a musta'min (granted safe conduct) or a dhimmi (under treaty) is given some wealth, is shown compassion, and is treated kindly. There is no harm in this, other than zakah. As for zakah, it is given to "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" among the leaders and the great, so that through kindness to them, their faith is strengthened, or the Islam of their peers is achieved, or their evil is restrained.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.