Where to pay Zakah

30-12-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am from Libya but, I have been in England now since 13-5-2003. I will be in Libya in March 2004. Should I give the Zakah here in England or in my country?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Basically the Zakah is distributed at the place where it becomes obligatory. All Muslim scholars agree that if the people in the place where the Zakah becomes due are not in need of the whole Zakah or part of it, or if the money of Zakah is more than the needy people in that place, in this case, it is allowed to transfer the Zakah to another place. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that if one transfers his Zakah to another place although there are many needy people in the place where his wealth is, he becomes free from his obligation. However, Al-Shafiya and al-Hanabilah believe that whoever transfers his Zakah without any reason commits a sin. Therefore, you are obliged to pay the Zakah at the place where the wealth is. If you do not find those who are liable to receive Zakah in that place, then you may transfer it to another suitable place. Allah knows best.