Question
A lady who does not qualify to receive Zakaat, nevertheless, accepted Zakaat funds. She spent all the money and now realizes her error. Does she have to repay the Zakaat? She now is genuinely poor and does not have the funds for repayment. Can she repay in instalments? Must she return it to the agency who gave it to her or can she give it directly to poor Muslims?
Answer
She should repay the Zakaat when she is by the means. At the time of accepting it, she was not entitled to it although the Zakaat was discharged. Nevertheless, from her perspective she had sinned by accepting it, hence the debt remains on her.
Yes, she may repay it instalments and give it to people who are genuinely entitled to accept Zakaat.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 27 No 10
- PDF page
- 4
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).