Ruling on Giving Zakat al-Fitr to One Who Sells It
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Q124: The questioner says: Some people collect Zakat al-Fitr and then sell it on the other hand. Is it permissible to give Zakat al-Fitr to such people? And is it permissible to buy from them if we are certain that what they are selling is what they collected from Zakat al-Fitr?
A124: It is obligatory for a person to verify the need of the poor person to whom it is given, to verify the need of the one who takes the charity, and to verify his entitlement to it. If it becomes apparent to him that this person needs the charity, he gives it to him and is not responsible for the actions of the person who takes it. He may sell it, he may give it away, he may eat it, and he may give it as charity on his own behalf. The giver is not responsible as long as the person who took it is entitled to it and the giver is convinced of that. If he knows that he is not entitled to it and that he is rich, it is not permissible to give it to him. Exposing others in the street and asking them for it is evidence of their need, but he should verify this as well. If he knows that there are people who are in greater need than them, he should give it to those who are in greater need. As for buying it from
the seller, it is not permissible for the one who gives Zakat al-Fitr or any other charity to buy it back. Whether it is the zakah of wealth, Zakat al-Fitr, or any other charity, if a person gives something as charity, it is not permissible for him to buy it back or to take it back.
A124: It is obligatory for a person to verify the need of the poor person to whom it is given, to verify the need of the one who takes the charity, and to verify his entitlement to it. If it becomes apparent to him that this person needs the charity, he gives it to him and is not responsible for the actions of the person who takes it. He may sell it, he may give it away, he may eat it, and he may give it as charity on his own behalf. The giver is not responsible as long as the person who took it is entitled to it and the giver is convinced of that. If he knows that he is not entitled to it and that he is rich, it is not permissible to give it to him. Exposing others in the street and asking them for it is evidence of their need, but he should verify this as well. If he knows that there are people who are in greater need than them, he should give it to those who are in greater need. As for buying it from
the seller, it is not permissible for the one who gives Zakat al-Fitr or any other charity to buy it back. Whether it is the zakah of wealth, Zakat al-Fitr, or any other charity, if a person gives something as charity, it is not permissible for him to buy it back or to take it back.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.