Q: I am living with my children in my parents house in Pakistan and my husband is away in another country. The maid in my parents house helps me with house hold work. I give her some money every month which is from my zakat. I told her about that and she is happy to accept the zakaat money and help me with house hold work. My mother pays her regular salary on top of that. My question is will that money be accepted as zakaat?
A: Outwardly it seems that this money is being given to her for the services she is rendering. It is impermissible to give someone zakaat in lieu of a service rendered. We suggest that you do not promise her anything nor tell her that you are going to give her zakaat and after two or three months you may give her the zakaat money. In this case since there was nothing prearranged, your zakaat will be discharged and the money will not be in lieu of any service.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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