Q:
1. I wish to give zakat to a poor lady but someone (who claims to know her ancestors) say that they are ‘sayyads’, the family doesn’t claim to be sayyads and are not known as sayyads in society, can I give zakat to them?
2. Also, can I give zakat to someone who has a television at home?
A:
1. If they say that they are not sayyid then they are eligiable for zakaat.
2. If it seems that their liabilities are far in excess of the value of the television you can give them zakaat.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)