Conversion Of Zakaah

QUESTION:

Is the conversion of Zakaah to Lillah, carried out by many organizations and institution, permissible? If it is correct for the Darul Ulooms and organizations to give Zakaah to a poor person and then take it back as Lillah, can I not do the same, i.e. just give Zakaah to a poor person and take it back as Lillah?

ANSWER:

From the outset, it should be understood that Zakaah is primarily meant for the poor and needy Muslims. It should be borne in mind that for Zakaah to be discharged, it is conditional that a deserving recipient of Zakaah is made the unfettered owner of the Zakaatable item. Hence, if physical transfer of ownership and due acceptance thereof by a specific worthy recipient does not take place, then the Zakaah would not be discharged. The Zakaah funds meant for use in Madrassahs also have to undergo this process. (RE:NizaamulFatawaa Vol:1 Pg:116)

الفتاوى الهندية (1/ 170)
أَمَّا تَفْسِيرُهَا فَهِيَ تَمْلِيكُ الْمَالِ من فَقِيرٍ مُسْلِمٍ غَيْرِ هَاشِمِيٍّ وَلَا مَوْلَاهُ بِشَرْطِ قَطْعِ الْمَنْفَعَةِ عن الْمُمَلِّكِ من كل وَجْهٍ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى هذا في الشَّرْعِ كَذَا في التَّبْيِينِ

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Ahmed Saeed

Date: 08 Muharram 1448 / 14 June 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb