Q. A certain person helps his poor relatives and friends, and also supports mosques and Muslim centers engaged in social work and providing services for poor people. Does this count as paying his zakah?
Mazhar Khan
A. The payment of such money qualifies as zakah only if two conditions are met. The first is that the person making the payment intends such donation as payment of zakah, because every action is credited on the basis of the intention behind it. The Prophet says: “Actions are but by intentions. Each person shall have only what he intends his action for.” So, without formulating a clear intention that one is making a particular payment as part of his zakah liability, the payment cannot count as zakah.
The other condition is that the recipients or the purposes for which payment is made qualify as beneficiaries of zakah. God has defined eight classes of people and actions for which zakah should be paid. No other person or purpose can be funded by zakah money. These beneficiaries are outlined in the verse that says: “Charitable donations are only for the poor and the needy, and those who work in the administration of such donations, and those whose hearts are to be won over, for the freeing of people in bondage and debtors, and to further God’s cause, and for the traveler in need. This is a duty ordained by God, and God is All-knowing, Wise.” (9: 60)
So, when you need to calculate your zakah next time, it is advisable if you make out a list of the people and the purposes where you wish to spend it. Whatever you donate beyond that will be highly rewarded, God willing, but it will be sadaqah or charity, and you can pay it to anyone or any good purpose you choose.
