Fatwa ID: 06772

 

Answered by: Maulana Abdul Malik

 

Question:

 

My question is related to the payment of zakat to Syed.

 

I am a Syed and have many family members back home who are going through severe hardships that are also Syed.  Is it allowed for me to help them with Zakat money?

 

I have been hearing conflicting answers where mostly Pakistani or Indian muftis are strictly against any zakat payment to Syeds.

 

On the other hand, I’ve read many fatwas and also spoke to a couple of mainly Middle Eastern scholars who advocate for payment of zakat to Syeds.  The logic, I’m hearing is that in the olden days, Rasulallah’s family received payments from a special fund set aside for them and for this reason, they weren’t allowed to receive Zakat money.  As this one is no longer available in many Muslim countries, it is okay to help them with the zakat money.

 

Another opinion from the pro-Muftis is that it is better to help them with Zakat money instead of begging elsewhere.

 

I would appreciate it if you could help with a concrete reply urgently.

 

 

                                                    

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

 

Answer:

 

It is not allowed to give zakat funds to a Sayyid.

 

Giving such money to the Messenger of Allah and his noble family is inappropriate because zakat is the filth of one’s wealth. (Raddul Muhtar, pg 299, vol 3)[1]

 

Therefore, you should give them alternative forms of Sadaqa rather than Zakat if your family members who are Sayyids require financial support.

 

 

[1] (و) لا إلى (بني هاشم) إلا من أبطل النص قرابته وهم بنو لهب فتحل لمن أسلم منهم كما تحل لبني المطلب.

 

 

 

Only Allah Knows the Best

Written by Maulana Abdul Malik

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham