Q: I am a member of the board of directors of the Charitable Society of
Al-Atawilah. We receive Zakah from wealthy people to distribute to the people who have a right to it. However, we face some difficulties in distributing this money, and the following are the details:Firstly:Distributing the Zakah to the recipients is sometimes delayed for a whole year under the pretext that the spring or the Ramadan contributions are due. What is the ruling on delaying the distribution of Zakah, especially when those paying the Zakah have entrusted us with the responsibility of doing so? We hope you will explain this issue.Secondly:Some people come to us and ask for Zakah. They tell us that they had a car accident and some people died, and that they have to pay Diyah (blood money). Is it permissible to give them from Zakah?Thirdly:Some people may not be poor in the exact meaning of the word, for example, they may be earning 2,000 Saudi riyals, but have six or seven family members to support. Some people say that this income is not sufficient for a family like this. What is your opinion?
A: Firstly,
charitable societies should distribute Zakah to the recipients without delay, whenever they find them. (Part No. 9; Page No. 403)
Secondly,
it is only permissible for charitable societies to give Zakah to the people who are definitely poor or in debt, or those in their opinion who do have a right to Zakah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.