Recipients of Zakaat

The mother of a zakaatable family inheriting a large some of money

Q: A family was eligible for zakaat. The mother in this family just inherited a fairly large sum of money from a deceased relative. However, she says that she wants to keep this sum of money for herself and does not want to spend it on her family. Are the father and the children in this family still eligible to receive zakaat?

Assisting a prisoner with zakaat money

Q: Can zakaat be given to a Muslim to release him from prison who has been in prison for last fifteen years. The person in prison is punctual about his prayers and believes that he is innocent and must be released from prison so he can look after his kids and wife. He also suspect that he may be hung for capital punishment if he is not proved innocent. We don't know if zakaat can be spent on such a person, so he can be released from prison and we do not know whether he is a culprit or not?

Can a person who possess a cellphone or a car receive zakaat

Q: I heard from an Aalim that if a person has a fancy touch screen cellphone, then he cannot be given zakaat.

1) If a person has a cellphone worth R3000k and jewellery worth 3000 and 1000 cash, does zakaat now become wajib on him / can he receive zakaat?

2) If a person has a car worth R500 000, has jewellery worth R10 000, cash R10000 but is in debts for R20 000. So his balance is 0 excluding the expensive car. Can he recieve zakaat? Even though he has such an expensive car?

Helping sick people with zakaat money

Q: May I please ask your advice on two matters with regards to Zakaat.

a) My wives uncle recently had both his legs amputated. He is an elderly 78 year old man with two unmarried daughters (both working) and a son. He has a house. They are living from hand to mouth and come from the poor community. Am I allowed to use my zakaat funds to purchase needy medical equipment that he requires, like a hospital bed, a wheelchair etc?

b) In our community there is a lady who has also had both her legs amputated. She lives in a small backyard room. No income. Are we allowed to assist her in settling some monthly accounts like electricity, food, groceries etc with our zakaat funds?

Distributing zakaat

Q: In regards to discharging Zakaat, it has become very difficult now a days to find out who deserve to receive Zakaat. Please advise where else it can be discharged like muslim institutes, orphan centers etc?