Widow and Zakah
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
I am a widow and is totally dependant on my parents. I have four daughters their ages are --17,15,13 and 7 yrs. I have no sons. I have nearly Rs 10,000 cash and 15 gm gold. if people give me zakath , even if i dont ask, can i aacept it?
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Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, Shariah has prescribed the ‘nisaab’ or minimum level of wealth status only to determine who is liable to pay the zakah and who is exempted from it; but there is no condition or restriction in Shariah of ‘nisaab’ for those who can receive funds from the zakah dues, provided they fall amongst one of the eight categories where zakah funds may be spent.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 60:
60 Alms are for the (1) poor, and (2) the needy, and (3) those employed to administer the (funds); (4) for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth); (5) for those in bondage and (6) in debt; (7) in the cause of Allah; (8) and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
If your total assets are only Rs. 10,000.00 and 15gms of gold, are a widow with four daughters and totally dependant on your aged parents, it is your right that the believers support you in your times of need, and there is absolutely no harm in you accepting the zakah funds from the believers.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
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