Zakat is an obligatory provision, its importance and issues(5)

 

To whom zakat can be given

 Zakat has been defined in the Qur'an.  It is not permissible to pay zakat anywhere other than here.  Referred to-

 اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَ الْمَسٰكِيْنِ وَ الْعٰمِلِيْنَ عَلَیْهَا وَ الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَ فِي الرِّقَابِ وَ الْغٰرِمِيْنَ وَ فِيْ سَب ِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِیْلِ ؕ فَرِیْضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌ حَكِیْمٌ۝60

 Zakat is only for the destitute, the needy and those engaged in the work of Zakat, for whom the purpose of entertainment is for them, for the liberation of slaves, for the debtors, for the jihadist in the way of Allah and for the traveler.  This is God's law.  Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.-Surah Tawbah: 60

 45.  A poor person who has very little or nothing, not even a day's food, is poor in the eyes of the Shari'ah.  Zakat can be given to him.

 46.  A person who has nisab amount of zakat assets i.e. gold, silver, money, merchandise, etc. is rich in the eyes of Shariah.  Zakat cannot be given to him.

 47.  Similarly, a person who does not have the Nisab amount of Zakatable wealth, but has other types of wealth that do not incur Zakat such as household furniture, wearable clothes, shoes, household goods, etc., in addition to the need and Nisab amount, cannot be given Zakat.-Musannaf Abdur Razaq Hadith 7156

 Sadaqah Fitr is obligatory on this person.

 48.  Zakat can be given to a person who does not have the nisab amount of zakatable wealth and other types of goods in addition to his needs.  - Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba hadith 10536

 49.  Zakat can be given to a person who is in debt and does not have the amount of Nisab after paying off the debt.

 50.  Zakat may be given to a person who has a nisab amount of wealth in his home, but is in need while on a journey or his goods are stolen.  But it is permissible for this person to take only the required amount and not more.

51.  It is better to give Zakat money to the poor who are pious.  If a non-believer is eligible for zakat, zakat can also be given to him.  But it is not permissible to give Zakat to the person if there is a strong impression that if the Zakat money is given, the person will spend that money in sinful activities.

 52.  Zakat can only be given to Muslims.  If zakat is given to a Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or any other non-Muslim, zakat will not be collected.  However, charity can be given to non-Muslims as well.  - Musannaf Abdur Razzaq Hadith 7166, 7167, 7170;  Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 6/516-517

 53.  Zakat money should be delivered to those entitled to Zakat.  Zakat will not be collected if it is spent on any other public welfare work without spending it in the prescribed sector of Zakat.  Such as roads, construction of pools, digging pits, provision of electricity and water etc.

 54.  It is also not permissible to build mosques and madrassas, spread Islam, pay imams and muezzins, hold waj mahfils, print religious books, run Islamic media such as radio and TV channels with Zakat money.

 Basically, Zakat money should be paid to the person who is entitled to it.  Zakat will not be collected even if it is spent in any other good sector.

 55.  The condition for Zakat to be collected is to make a suitable person the owner.  So that he can fulfill his needs as he pleases.  Without doing this, if the zakat payer spends the money as he pleases on any need of the poor person, such as renovating his house, installing a toilet or providing water or electricity, then zakat will not be collected.-Raddul Muhtar 2/257

 The rule is that zakat money should be given to the poor person.  After that, if he spends on these things according to his pleasure, then the zakat of the giver will be collected.

The rule is that zakat money should be given to the poor person.  After that, if he spends on these things according to his pleasure, then the zakat of the giver will be collected.

 56.  If relatives are eligible to receive zakat, then it is better to give zakat to them.  Zakat can be given to brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, uncles, aunts and other relatives.  - Musannaf Abdur Razzaq Hadith 7160,7161,7164,7171;  Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 6/542-546

 Even if you intend to pay zakat without mentioning zakat while giving, zakat will be collected.  This is best in such cases.

 57.  It is not permissible to give one's zakat to one's parents, grandparents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., who are the source of one's birth.  Likewise, it is not permissible to give zakat of one's wealth to one's sons and daughters, grandchildren and their subordinates.  It is not permissible for a husband and wife to give zakat to each other.-Raddul Muhtar 2/258

 58.  It is permissible to give zakat to housemaids or maidservants if they are eligible to receive zakat.  However, zakat will not be collected if zakat money is given as remuneration for work.  Some people say that when they hire workers, they will get so much money in a month and they will get a big sum on Eid.  In this case, money given during Eid cannot be paid as Zakat.  It will be considered as part of his remuneration.

 59.  Zakat was given to a person as he was deemed worthy of zakat, but later it was revealed that the person had nisab amount of wealth and zakat would still be due.  Do not pay zakat again.  But if the person who has been given Zakat comes to know that it was Zakat money, then it is wajib on him to return it.

 60.  If it is known after paying zakat that the zakat-receiver was a non-Muslim then zakat will not be collected.  Zakat must be paid again.

 61.  Zakat can be given to minor (understanding) sons and daughters.-Raddul Muhtar 2/257;  Albahrur Rayek 2/201