Question
I have some close family friends who may be eligible for Zakat. Should/Can I give my Zakat to them knowing they can get by vs giving to someone in war-torn countries who are struggling?
Answer:
ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
After one’s Zakat year has been completed and Zakat has become binding, it is disliked to transfer one’s Zakat to a place outside of one’s city unless the poor person, outside of his city, to whom he is transferring the Zakat is more pious, more in need, a relative, an Islamic scholar/student of knowledge, or sending it there is more beneficial for the Muslims. Hence, if your friends that are eligible to receive Zakat reside in your city, it is permissible without any dislike for you to give them your Zakat, however, it would be better to give the Zakat to the poor suffering in war-torn countries if they are more in need.
Al-Binayah Sharhul Hidayah: v. 4, p. 214 (Al-Maktaba Al-Haqqania); Al-Bahr Al-Raaiq: v. 2, p. 436 (Maktaba Rasheedia); Fatawa Hindiya: v. 1, p. 209 (DKI); Hashiya Tahtawiya: p. 722 (Qadeemi Kutub Khana); Raddul Muhtar:
v. 3, p. 304 (Maktaba Imdadia); Bahishti Zewar: p. 245 (DARUL-ISHAAT); Ahsanul Fatawa: v. 4, p. 259 (HM Saeed Company)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham