Collecting Zakah

Q: As an employee at the Department of Zakah and Income Tax, is it permissible for me to help some people to pay less Zakah (obligatory charity) than they should pay to the Zakah Department? It should be noted that I know that their Zakah is paid in full to the poor and needy through some of their friends.

A: An employee is trusted to do their work, and their job is a trust. It is obligatory to carry out this trust according to the Shari`ah (Islamic law). It is not permissible for them to betray that trust. Allah (Exalted be He) says: O you who believe! Betray not Allâh and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your Amânât (things entrusted to you, and all the duties which Allâh has ordained for you). Thus, it is not permissible for an employee to let anyone pay Zakah more than is due or less than is due. Instead, it is obligatory on them to be fair by letting the people pay what is prescribed by the Shari`ah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.