Fatwa ID: 06877

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Question:

A person in Bangladesh is poor hence zakaat money was discharged to him. Later it was found out that the person has a habit of storing one year’s worth of grains to last him and his family for the entire year. 

Is this poor person a rightful recipient of Zakah?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

To provide help to another is a reward-worthy act. May Allāh Ta’ālā reward you for your intentions. Āmeen.

Allāh Ta’ālā has ordained on us: “Be steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and pay Zakāh, and bow down with those who bow down (in worship and obedience)”. [Surah al-Baqarah; 2:43] [1]

As these people are storing food for themselves and not for resale purposes, this food stock will not be included towards any Zakat-able assets from their side. Assets which are Zakat-able are those which are for resale purposes.

Many in poorer countries do this. The harvest comes once a year. Thus, many families attempt to satisfy themselves for the upcoming year.

As long as they do not have cash or assets equivalent to the Nisāb amount then they will be eligible to receive Zakah.

Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.

Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham