ANSWERED: zakat for tsunami relief?

[Abu Usama]

Salam, can people donate zakat money towards the relief efforts of islamic charities which are carrying out emergency relief work in the earthquake and tsunami shattered areas of the world, even though the majority of the recipients of the zakat will be non-muslim, on the basis that this might soften their hearts towards islam?

[faqir]

Asalamu alaykum

Wasn't Indonesia one of the main countries to be affected. Also, many if not most of the victims are children are they not?

[Omar HH]

There's a ton of Muslims affected.
Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Bangladesh, even maybe Yemen.

Poor Aceh. They already were being geocided in war too!

They said the earth wobbled on it's axis it was that big. Subhanallah!

[Fisabilillah]

according to Sidi Faraz Rabbani from www.sunnipath.com:


Charity or Zakat money for tsunami shattered areas?


Question:

Can people donate zakat money towards the relief efforts of islamic charities which are carrying out emergency relief work in the earthquake and tsunami shattered areas of the world, even though the majority of the recipients of the zakat will be non-muslim, on the basis that this might soften their hearts towards islam?

Answer:

A believer cares. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon) said, "None of you believes until they love for their brother what they love for themselves." As such, Muslims should be emptying their pockets in financial support, and their hearts in earnest supplication, for those affected by the recent tsunami in Asia, as well as those Muslims and non-Muslims in need and desperation around the world.

Allah has called upon us to give, and promised that anything we give will be given back to us after having been multiplied manyfold by the Favor of Allah, both in this life and the next.

Allah Most High tells us in the Qur'an

057.018 Lo! those who give alms, both men and women, and lend unto Allah a goodly loan, it will be doubled for them, and theirs will be a rich reward.

And He also promises that

033.035 Lo! men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender, and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth, and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give charity and women who give charity, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard (their modesty), and men who remember Allah much and women who remember - Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a tremendous reward.

The reason it mentions both men and women is for emphasis; otherwise, the general statements made in the male grammatical form refer to both men and women. This was confirmed by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he said, "Women are the partners of men." [al-nisa' shaqa'iq al-rijal]


However, zakat is a specific act of worship that has specific conditions. As such, its final recipient must be needy Muslims. This has been discussed in several answers on SunniPath, including:

Can we give Zakat for the 'general good' -- What is meant by “In the Way of Allah” (http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Q...a00004673.aspx)

As for the category of 'those whose hearts are to be reconciled', this was abrogated after Islam was manifest and established, as affirmed by major companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), including Sayyiduna Umar (Allah be pleased with him). [Ibn al-Humam/Marghinani, Fath al-Qadri `ala al-Hidaya]

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani.

[Saleel]

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAAT

-The Banu Hashim who are the children of Sayyadatina Fatima (RA) and all members of Rasoolullah (S.A.W.)'s family and wives (RA)
-Parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren.
-Institutions or organisations that do not give the rightful recipients (Masaarif) possession of Zakaat, but instead use Zakaat funds for consumption, investments or salaries etc.
-Non-Muslims
-Zakaat cannot be given as remuneration for services rendered.

http://www.jamiat.org.za/isinfo/zakaat.html

However, in the UK, Muslim Aid seem to be accepting Zakaat for the Muslims who have been affected by the Tsumani (select "Zakah-Emergency" and then "Asia Tsunami Emergency Dec04"). However, it would be advisable to ask them before giving your Zakat if it is indeed only going to Muslims.

Wallahu Alam.

[Mossy]

Hmm. But there's a difference between zakat and charity, isn't there? Zakat is the 2.5% and a sub-type of charity (ie that set aside to help the muslim community - it is a specific act of worship as mentioned in the below fatwa), muslims can give additionals as sadaqah - is there anything against giving this (ie not any of the 2.5% or offsetting the 2.5%) to non-muslims?

[eat-halal guy]

Hmm. But there's a difference between zakat and charity, isn't there? Zakat is the 2.5% and a sub-type of charity (ie that set aside to help the muslim community - it is a specific act of worship as mentioned in the below fatwa), muslims can give additionals as sadaqah - is there anything against giving this (ie not any of the 2.5% or offsetting the 2.5%) to non-muslims?

Apart from the compulsory forms of sadqah such as zakat, fitrah, fidyah, and kaffarah, all optional forms of charity may be given to non-Muslims.