Fatwa ID: 01983

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Why can’t zakat or any other form of charity be given to Syed. If the syed is very poor can we be given zakat

Answer:

Zakat cannot be given to the ‘Aal’ (family) of the Prophet of Allah . (Aapke Masaail p.390 v.3)

It is mentioned in a hadith that Saaiduna Hasan once took a date from the dates of Sadaqa and placed it in his mouth. At the Prophet of Allah said: "Kakh! Kakh! Throw it out! Don’t you know that we do not eat charity?" (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

The reason why the descendants of the Prophet of Allah cannot take Zakat can be derived from the following hadith narrated by Abdul-Muttalib ibn Rabi`ah ibn Al-Harith  who reported that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam  said, Charity (Zakah) is not becoming for the family of Muhammad, as it is people's impurities. (Sahih Muslim)

In a nutshell Zakat cannot be given to the family of Prophet of Allah , however, one should assist them through gifts and voluntary Sadaqah. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyah p.255 v.7)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.