Paying people with zakaat money
Q: Can you please advise me on the following matter:
I am and have been using my Zakaat money to distribute monthly food hampers to poor and destitute Muslims. Many of my friends and family have observed this and have now given me their Zakaat / Sadaqah / Lillah, etc. obligations to discharge on their behalf.
With this in mind the number of recipients whom I distribute to (all of whom are Muslims) have also increased. This has become a very labour intensive exercise for me to accomplish on my own. I have thus secured assistance - some externally (also Muslims) and others from within the people who receive these hampers from me to sort, pack, get ready and distribute these hampers.
The following are my questions:
1) Can I pay these persons who assist me from the monies given to me especially in terms of the Zakaat and Sadaqah?
2) If yes, is there a percentage that I should consider to cover those expenses
3) If no, can I increase the hamper size of the “helpers” who are Zakaat recipients in lieu of payment for assisting me Can you please advise me on this matter?
A: Sadaqah could be used to remunerate them, not zakaat.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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