Personally distributing zakaat or giving it to an organisation

Q:

1. What is ruling on Zakat to giving needy close relatives, if others are more poor than that. To whom should be given, to needy close relatives or more needy other than relatives or Fuqra.

2. Should a person distribute his own Zakat or hand it over to an institution?

A:

1. It is permissible.

2. If you know that they are some eligible people then you should give it yourself.

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

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)