Question
The Ulama in our country are forming an organization to pool the Zakaat of the community. They say that we have to pay our Zakaat to the organization. If a person does not pay his Zakaat to the organization, but gives it to the destitute himself, will it be permissible?
Answer
Whilst pooling Zakaat into a reliable organization is permissible, it is preferable and best for a person to distribute his own Zakaat personally. In the process of distribution, he should first give Zakaat to his destitute and needy relatives, then to his friends and those around him. If there are no needy persons in his family, etc., then he is free to give his Zakaat to the local organization if it is a reliable body, or he may transfer his Zakaat elsewhere wherever he wishes. No one can compel him to pay his Zakaat to a particular organization.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 21 No 10
- PDF page
- 3
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).