Issues on Zakat and Fitra

Q1. 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 the Zakat charity and we also feel shy to tell them that we are helping with the Zakat charity. Please advise.

A 1. It is permissible to give the Zakat to deserving relatives. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Your relatives deserve more your goodness" But it is not allowed to give Zakat to one's own children, grand-children or parents and grand-parents. The husband and wife also cannot give Zakat to each other. Because it is your duty to spend on these relatives like you spend on your own needs. You cannot give Zakat to your own self, similarly you cannot give Zakat to these relatives who come under the category of dependents. However, other non-dependent relatives such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, etc., can receive the Zakat if they are poor and need some financial help. The person who gives the Zakat must make an intention that the amount he/she is giving is for the purpose of Zakat, but the recipient does not have to be informed about it. It is better to give the charity to an individual in a respectful manner without hurting his/her dignity. If you have some relatives who need your help, you should help them from Zakat or from some other Sadaqat. You may give them the money yourself quietly or you may give them through some other indirect ways. 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 really 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)

Q2. Is it allowed to use Zakat funds for the construction of mosques or schools?

A2. Zakat funds are for the poor and needy. The Masajid and schools are used by the poor and rich both. By using Zakat funds in the construction of the Masajid, you may be using the Zakat for your own needs and deprive the poor and needy people. It is for those reasons that Jurists in general have not allowed the use of Zakat funds for the construction of Masajid and schools. But now more than one third of the Muslims of the world are living as minorities in non-lslamic lands and in many places Muslims in general are very poor and cannot afford to build Masajid for themselves and schools for the education of their children. Under these conditions some Jurists have allowed Muslims even to use Zakat funds for the construction of Masajid and schools.

It is better to ask Muslims to give donations other than Zakat for the construction of Masajid and schools, but if there is no other way and Muslims are in danger of losing their faith and identity because of the lack of Masajid and schools, then it is allowed to seek even Zakat funds for these purposes. However, Muslims should always keep a major part of the Zakat funds for the poor and needy. They should not spend all the Zakat money for buildings. In the Qur'an (al-Tawbah, 9:60) Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has explained eight categories for the distribution of the Zakat funds. These are:

1. The poor who have some money but not enough for their basic needs.
2. The destitute or people who lost their means of livelihood.
3. The Zakat collectors or Zakat collection agencies who may need some funds to spend on the collection and distribution of the Zakat funds.
4. New Muslims or those whose hearts need to be reconciled to Islam.
5. To free the slaves or help the prisoners or their families.
6. People who are under heavy debt and need help to recover.
7. The travelers who may need some help to reach to their destination or the foreign students who cannot receive funds from their homes to complete their studies.
8. In the cause of Allah, such as Da'wah or Jihad etc.

It seems to me that the eighth category is a very broad and general category and it can be applied for all those areas where Muslims need to spend the funds to promote the cause of Allah. Q3. Are we allowed to claim tax deduction on our Zakat contributions?

A3. Surely, you must report all your Zakat contributions as your charitable contributions and take all legal exemptions and deductions. Any money that may come back to you from your federal or state taxes, you should apply to your next years income and pay the Zakat on it next year. There is a great reward in giving more money for Zakat, but there is no blessing in giving extra money to IRS.

Q4. How important is Sadaqatul Fitr? Who must pay this Sadaqah and how much has to be paid?

A 4. Sadaqatul Fitr is a special charity for the month of Ramadan. It is mandatory (wajib) on every head of the household. It is reported by 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas -may Allah be pleased with him- that "The Prophet -peace be upon him- enjoined Sadaqatul Fitr so that those who fast are purified of their shortcomings and errors and the poor and needy are enabled to arrange for their basic necessities of food and clothing .." This money should be given during the month of Ramadan or the Eidul Fitr day before the prayer. Any Muslim head of the household who owns the Nisab of Zakat or according to some jurists anyone who has more than one day's meals for oneself and all the members of the family must give one meal or its value in cash for the poor and needy. The head of the household has to give on his/her own behalf and on behalf of all the members of the household including children even new born babies. In California we calculate this amount about five dollars per person. Try to give this money as soon as possible during the month of Ramadan and it should be given to poor and needy families. You may give this money to your Islamic centers and they should distribute it during Ramadan or on the Eidul Fitr day.