Q: Recently I went for Haj Alhamdulillah. I had taken my zakaat money with me to distribute to the poor in Makkah and Medinah. I had given the zakaat to the cleaners of the Haram in Makkah & Medinah. Someone told me that the cleaners collect a lot of money from others whilst others informed me that they are poor. I am not sure which category do they fall under. Please let me know if my zakaat will be fulfilled or do I need to re-take out zakaat?
A: If you discharged the zakaat to a person whom you regarded eligible, the zakaat will be discharged.
( دفع بتحر ) لمن يظنه مصرفا ( فبان أنه عبده أو مكاتبه أو حربي ولو مستأمنا أعادها ) لما مر ( وإن بان غناه أو كونه ذميا أو أنه أبوه أو ابنه أو امرأته أو هاشمي لا ) يعيد لأنه أتى بما في وسعه حتى لو دفع بلا تحر لم يجز إن أخطأ (شامى 2352)
Q: What if you had a doubt and you thought aftwrwards that they collect a lot of money?
A: The zakaat is discharged. Having doubts later on will not affect the validity of the zakaat.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)