Fatwa ID: 06628
Answered by: Alimah Zainab Nakhuda
Question:
I can see that NZF is taking 12.5% (or, at least 10%) of zakat for salary (on the name of عاملين عليها). I saw fatwa from at least 2 ‘Deobandi’ ‘scholars on their website making it jaaïz.
Is it also the view of other darul ifta and muftis in the UK, please? (It is really to understand, as we have questions on that topic by NGOs quoting that over here).
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
With regards to Fardh charity, i.e. Zakaat, Allah SWT does mention the collectors of Zakaat (in this case the fundraiser) as one of the recipients of Zakaat. He says in the Quran:
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ٦٠
The Sadaqāt (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.
(Surah Tawbah, verse 60)
However, this is only in regards to those collectors who have been sent by the government, as wherever they have been mentioned in Fiqh books, it is always said that the Imaam (i.e. the leader of the Muslims) will give to them their wage. This shows us that in the absence of an Islamic government, private collectors (like private fundraisers) will not be given a share of the Zakaat to cover their admin costs[1].
The reason for this is that when the collectors of Zakaat are monitored by the government, then there is no fear of them receiving more than they deserve. However, when it is left in the hands of public and private organizations, then there is no control over this.
In conclusion, it would not be correct for these organizations to take such cuts from the Zakaat funds.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Zainab Nakhuda
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] Raddul Muhtaar, page 339, volume 2, Maktabah Shamelah
(وَعَامِلٌ) يَعُمُّ السَّاعِيَ وَالْعَاشِرَ (فَيُعْطَى) وَلَوْ غَنِيًّا لَا هَاشِمِيًّا لِأَنَّهُ فَرَّغَ نَفْسَهُ لِهَذَا
(قَوْلُهُ: يَعُمُّ السَّاعِيَ) هُوَ مَنْ يَسْعَى فِي الْقَبَائِلِ لِجَمْعِ صَدَقَةِ السَّوَائِمِ وَالْعَاشِرُ مَنْ نَصَبَهُ الْإِمَامُ عَلَى الطُّرُقِ لِيَأْخُذَ الْعُشْرَ وَنَحْوَهُ مِنْ الْمَارَّةِ
Al Binaayah, page 449, volume 3, Maktabah Shamelah
: (والعامل) ش: هذا المصرف الثالث، ذكر بعد المسكين كما في الآية، وهو مرفوع على أنه مبتدأ، وقوله: م: (يدفع الإمام إليه) ش: خبره وهو الذي يبعثه الإمام بجباية الصدقات وهو الذي يسمى الساعي
https://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/home/can-a-charity-use-zakah-to-cover-administration-costs/
