Question:
Can a Mujahid receive Zakaat. Give details
Answer:
Under the commentary of و ابن السبيل , the author of Al-Badaai’us Sanaai’ writes:
فهو الغريب المنقطع عن ماله و إن كان غنيّا في وطنه لأنّه فقير في الحال و قد روينا عن رسول الله e أنّه قال لاتحلّ الصدقة لغنيّ الاّ في سبيل الله و إبن اسبيل. (البدائع الصنائع، جلد ٢،ص. ٤٦)
Imam Abu Hanifah (R.A.A.) says that when there is a necessity Zakaat can be given to the Mujahid fighting in the path of Allah. Imam Shafi’i (R.A.A.) says that Zakaat can be given to the Mujahid even though he may be affluent. (Al-Badaai’us Sanaai’, Vol. 2, Page 45-46)
A Mujahid upholding the boundaries of Islam can receive in his ownership the sum of Zakaat, even though he possesses more than the net amount on which Zakaat is due at home, whilst he is involved in the expedition.
If the individual was the owner of goods above his basic needs equivalent to Nisaab at home and utilises the wealth to purchase the necessities of Jihad, meaning he no longer remains the owner of wealth equal to Nisaab, then Zakaat can now be delivered to his home. (Raddul Muhtaar, Vol. 2, Page 76, Fataawaa Haqqaniyyah, Vol. 4, Page 61, Ahsanul Fataawaa, vol. 4, Page 263, Fataawaa Aalamgeeriyyah, vol. 1, Page 188, Al-Badaai’us Sanaai’, Vol. 2, Page 45-46)
If the amount of Zakaat was given to him, he can utilise it as he desires, i.e. for the purposes of Jihad only if he possesses Nisaab at home, for personal use if he does not possess Nisaab at home.
The giver of Zakaat can himself purchase the necessities of Jihad and thereafter make the Mujahid the owner of these items.
The sum of Zakaat can be given to the commander of the army and thereafter he can distribute the Zakaat to the respective Mujahideen.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Nezaam bin Yahya Ali
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
20 May 2004
29 Rabee’ul Awwal 1425