Q 1. I do understand the basics of Zakat, and I am familiar with the concept that unless a person is eligible, I cannot give Zakat to him/her. My question is about eligibility. I am obliged to provide financial assistance to a person (not a parent, offspring or spouse). The person is needy, yet does own some jewelry due to which some scholars, make the person ineligible to receive Zakat. But even if the person were to sell those investments, the returns will not be enough to live on, or to take care of minor dependents.
I see it very clearly as my responsibility under Islam, to provide for the person or persons, as long as they are not able to take care of themselves. Yet because they possess some minor investments I cannot understand why I cannot use Zakat money to do that. Moreover what is the process of coming to the decisions of eligibility?
A 1. In Surah al-Tawbah 9:60 Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has mentioned the categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat. The first among them are the poor (fuqara') and the needy (masakin). There is much discussion among the jurists about the definitions of the poor and needy, but the general opinion is that "faqir" is a person who does not have anything and "miskin" is someone who owns something, but it is not sufficient for his/her needs. If a person has some money, but this money does not reach to the amount of Nisab and is not sufficient for his/her personal needs, then that person is eligible for Zakat. Similarly, if a woman has some jewelry for her daily use and she needs some funds for her and her dependents' basic needs, she is eligible to receive the Zakat.
Q2. Is a woman who is pregnant or nursing mother allowed not to fast during Ramadan?
A2. Allah says in the Qur'an about fasting in the month of Ramadan, "…So every one of you who is present (at his home) during this month should spend it in fasting. But if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later…" (Al-Baqarah 2:185.) People who are sick or who fear that fasting may endanger their lives are allowed to postpone fasting to a later time. Thus if a pregnant woman sincerely feels or her doctor told her that fasting may harm her or harm her fetus, and/or a nursing woman feels that fasting will cause hardship for her and her baby, then these women are allowed not to fast during Ramadan. They, however, have to make up the missed fasts of Ramadan later as soon as possible.
Q3. Are we allowed to help our relatives with the Zakat money? Do we have to inform them if we help them with the Zakat? Some relatives feel embarrassed to receive Zakat charity and we also feel shy to tell them that we are helping them with Zakat charity. Please advise.
A3. It is permissible to give Zakat to the needy relatives. The relatives to whom Zakat cannot be given are wife, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. It is one's duty to take care of them first and then if there is any money left and it reached the Nisab of Zakat, then one should give Zakat on that amount. Thus all nondependent relatives such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, etc., can receive the Zakat if they are poor and need help.
The person who gives the Zakat must make an intention that the amount he/she is giving is for the purpose of Zakat. The recipient does not have to be informed about it. It is better to give charity to an individual in a respectful manner without hurting his/her dignity. Allah says in the Qur'an, "If you disclose your charity, it is well, but if you conceal it and make it reach to those who are in need that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your sins and Allah is well-acquainted with what you do." (Al-Baqarah 2:271)
Q4. If I arrive late at the Masjid while the Imam is leading the Tarawih prayers and I have not even prayed my 'Isha prayer, should I join the Imam with the intention of praying 'Isha or should I make 'Isha alone and then join the Imam in Tarawih prayers?
A4. It is better that you pray your 'Isha prayer first by yourself and then join the Imam in Tarawih prayers. If there are several people who have missed their 'Isha prayer, they may also make a separate Jama'ah at a corner of the Masjid and then they should join the community Tarawih prayers. The reason is that in prayer the intention of the Imam and the followers should be the same. The 'Isha prayer is fard and the Tarawih prayer is Sunnah. So the intention of the Imam and the follower will differ in this situation. Thus it is better that you pray separately. Some jurists have allowed the difference of intentions in prayers. According to them it is not necessary that the Imam and the followers have the intention of the same prayers. This is, however, not the most acceptable opinion among the jurists.
Q 5. I believe in charity. Most of the charities that I donate to, like Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc., are run by non-Muslims. Can I deduct the donations given to such organizations from my quota of Zakat?
A 5. It is good to give charity. Muslims can give charity (Sadaqa) to non-Muslims too, but they should not give their charity to those non-Muslims organizations that use their funds for preaching and promoting non-Islamic faith and practices. Muslims should also be careful and not give their charity to those organizations that might be involved in anti-Islamic activities. There are now many Islamic relief organizations in America. They are doing excellent work in collecting and distributing charities throughout the world. I suggest that you give your charity through Islamic relief organizations. Your charity will reach to many Muslims who deserve our help much more at this time than others do.
Zakat is a special charity and it should be given only to needy Muslims. The Prophet-peace be upon him-said that Zakat should be taken from the rich from amongst the Muslims and should be given to the poor among them. So if you give some of your charity to non-Muslim organizations, you are not allowed to deduct that from your obligatory Zakat. You still have to pay full Zakat from your wealth annually according to the Nisab.