I had given some money with the intention of charity (sadaqah) to a needy person. Later, I realized that I could have given it as zakah. Can I now reconsider it to be zakah? I had given this money just a couple of day back (04.01.15). Please assist.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 309/306/B=04/1436)
According to the Islamic Fiqh, zakah may be paid in two ways. (1) After calculating the amount the amount of zakah is kept separately. (2) While paying zakah to a poor the intention of zakah is made. You gave only with the intention of sadaqah not with the intention of zakah, so it shall not be valid to make the intention of zakah after 22 days as now the poor man must have spent the amount in his need.
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband