Q: How should Islamic charities balance the obligation to give Zakat to local people in need (i.e. in the same countries as their donors) versus giving Zakat to people in need internationally? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There are several competing reasons as to how and where we should pay our zakat. […]
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Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to give Zakat funds to individual beneficiaries in the form of goods rather than cash?
Q: Is it permissible for an Islamic charity to give Zakat funds to individual beneficiaries in the form of goods (rather than cash)? This could include livelihood equipment, such as sewing machines, farming equipment, livestock; medication or medical treatments; school books; education or training courses; paying salaries of service providers (e.g. teachers or doctors). الجواب […]
Read more...Is it prohibited to get a tax refund on Zakāt?
Q: It is prohibited to get a tax refund on zakat? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: The benefit prohibited to the payer of zakāt is that which comes directly from the zakat itself. Incidental benefit from a third party, as in the case of a tax refund, is not prohibited.
Read more...I gave my Zakat to grandmother abroad to distribute but was told it must be given to an established organisation. Is this correct?
Q: I gave my Zakat to grandmother abroad to distribute but was told it must be given to an established organisation. Is this correct? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There is no requirement to distribute one’s Zakat through an ‘established organisation’. Provided the Zakat reaches the rightful recipient it may be distributed by your […]
Read more...Is it encouraged to give Zakat to a charity that operates in a foreign country?
Q: Is it encouraged to give Zakat to a charity that operates in a foreign country? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: All things being equal one should distribute one’s Zakat in the immediate locality of the Zakatable wealth. Failure to do so is reprehensible but not prohibited. However, if there is reason to distribute […]
Read more...Can I give Sadaqah to Hashimites?
Q: Can I give Sadaqah to Hashimites? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: It is permissible to give optional sadaqah to Hashimites as that is essentially a gift. ففى الدر المختار: (وجازت التطوعات من الصدقات …) … (… لهم ) أي لبني هاشم. (كتاب الزكاة ، باب مصرف الزكاة والعشر) وفى رد المحتار: أقول […]
Read more...Please can Al-Qalam advise if they have carried out an onsite audit at the National Zakat Foundation London Shelter?
Q: Respected Scholars, Further to the Al-Qalam fatwa on the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) dated 25th February 2013, please can the Al-Qalam panel advise as to how the panel is assured that NZF does indeed adhere to the requirements of the fatwa? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: Al-Qalam has an agreement with […]
Read more...Please can the Al-Qalam Shari’ah Panel advise as to whether they consider the National Zakat Foundation as a suitable organisation to give Zakat money to?
Q: Please can the Al Qalam Shari’ah Panel advise as to whether they consider the National Zakat Foundation as a suitable organisation to give Zakat money to? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: We have spent some time looking into how National Zakat Foundation operate. Please click here for our fatwa on this. […]
Read more...If you had the intention to give Zakah to a specific eligible individual, but when disbursing the money some weeks later you did not have a specific Zakah intention, is this valid?
Q: If you had the intention to give Zakah to a specific eligible individual, but when disbursing the money some weeks later you did not have a specific Zakah intention, is this valid? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومنه الصدق والصواب A: In order for Zakah to be valid one must make the intention of Zakah either at […]
Read more...Why can’t the government be considered agents who distribute Zakah, therefore allowing us to offset tax paid against Zakah?
Q: Why can’t the government be considered agents who distribute Zakah, therefore allowing us to offset tax paid against Zakah? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There are three important considerations to your question: Firstly, does the state have the authority to collect Zakah from its subjects? Secondly, if tax is collected by the […]
Read more...Is there a difference of opinion amongst jurists regarding ‘payment in kind’ for Zakah?
Q: Is there a difference of opinion amongst jurists regarding ‘payment in kind’ for Zakah? الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: There is a difference amongst jurists as to whether Zakah has to be given from the same wealth for which it is liable. E.g., if Zakah is payable on wheat then whether wheat […]
Read more...Please elaborate on the intention needed for Zakah.
Q: Please elaborate on the intention needed for Zakah. الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب A: When giving Zakah to the recipient one must make the intention that what he/she is giving is being given as Zakah. Without this intention, the money given will be a form of optional charity and not Zakah. However, when […]
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