Fatwa ID: 01729

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

To establish a Central Treasury for poor Muslim students

 Answer:

Zakat can be given to students as long as they are poor. It cannot be given to students just because they are Fi Sabililah as the term Fi Sabililah does not include them. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.252 v.6)

Regarding your question, it will be permissible to step up a central treasury where the Zakat funds can be deposited and given to the poor students. If the poor students are mature they can take the possession of the Zakat money themselves. Otherwise, the principal of the educational establishment will be given the Zakat. He will then give it to the poor students who will be able to do what they want with it. Most likely, they will hand it back to the principal as fees who will then be allowed to do what he wants with it in terms of using it for bills etc…based on the Islamic principle of Tadeel-e –Milk (changing of ownership)

It is narrated by Saaiduna Anas bin Malik that some meat was brought to the Prophet of Allah and it was said that the meat had been given in charity to Barira Radiallahu Anha. He said, "It was Sadaqa for Barira but a gift for us." (Sahih Bukhari)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham