Using interest or zakaat money to fulfil one's needs

Q: Could interest and zakaat money be used to pay electricity account. We are poor and unable to pay our bills so we want to ask a bisinessman for intertest or zakaat.

A: If you are poor and eligible for zakaat, you may accept the zakaat or interest money and use it to fulfil your needs (i.e. use it to pay your electricity and other bills). 

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)