Fatwa ID: 06746

Answered by: Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Question:

If someone passes away and the deceased does not have enough wealth for the funeral costs can zakaat be used?

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

Answer:

Zakaat monies cannot be used to cover the funeral costs of a deceased. One of the conditions for the correct fulfilment of Zakaat is that the recipient should be made the owner of the wealth. A deceased person cannot be made the owner of the Zakaat money.

A close relative who is eligible to receive Zakaat may be given the Zakaat and he may thereafter voluntarily pay for the funeral expenses on behalf of the deceased.

It is a Fardh Kifaayah obligation upon the Muslim community to ensure that the deceased  Muslims are given proper kafn and burial according to Islamic rites. Thus anyone from the community who has the means should step forward to fulfil this obligation.

References:

تمليك جزء مخصوص من مال مخصوص الشخص مخصوص لله تعالى

ص ١٣٦

اللباب في شرح الكتاب

الشيخ عبد الغني الميداني كراتشي

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best

Written by Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham