What’s the ruling on giving prisoner’s zakaat? Does it matter if they’re looked after as in a british prison, or otherwise, as in Guantanamo for e.g., or where they’re not fed properly, tortured etc? Does it matter whether they have wealth at home or not?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Zakat can be given to prisoners provided they are poor and have no money as described by Allah (SAW) in the Holy Qur’an under verse 60 in Surah Tawbah. (Even though they may have wealth equivalent to nisaab at home.)

(Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband P.283 V.6)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.