Fatwa ID: 03890

Answered by: Maulana Muqtaur Rahman

Question

People say the muazzin is zakaatable. However, so many people give him zakat that he has more than the Nisaab now. Can people continue to give him zakat or not?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

With regards to zakat, you may only spend it on one of the eight categories which are stated by Allah in the verse of The Quran:

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy, and for those employed to collect [zakah], and for bringing hearts together [for Islam], and for freeing captives [or slaves], and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [executed] by Allah. And Allah is all Knowing and Wise.”[1]

Imam Abu Hanifa has commented in relation to “the poor” mentioned in the ayah above: “the one who has wealth but not at the level of Nisab.”[2]

Therefore, if the Muazzin has accumulated enough wealth to the level of nisab, then it will not be permissible for people to offer their zakat to him.

However, other than zakat, any general donations can be given to the muazzin if need be.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Muqtaur Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham