Receiving Zakaah From One’s Sister

QUESTION:

Considering the provisions of Islamic law regarding Zakaah, is an individual who owns a non-liquid asset, namely a share in a house valued at R500,000, subject to a rent-to-own/buy agreement with his sister, eligible to receive Zakaah from his sister, given that he is currently not residing in an old age home but is being considered for placement where the fees would be R9,000 per month, and he currently receives R7,000 per month from her, leaving a shortfall of R2,000?

ANSWER:

He is eligible to receive Zakaah if the following conditions are met:

1. He does not have any other Zakaatable wealth that would amount to Nisaab if added together. For example, jewellery or cash savings.

2. The property was not bought with the intention of resale. If the agreement was made after purchasing the house with the intention of leasing it out or staying in it, then the value of the property does not count as part of Zakaatable assets.

3. The Zakaat he is receiving from his sister is not to offset any debt or share in the property.

 ولو أجر عبده أو داره بنصاب إن لم يكونا للتجارة لاتجب ما لم يحل الحقول بعد القبض

(البحر الرائق  ٢٢٠٨)

(الزكاة واجبة في عروض التجارة كائنة ما كانت) أي سواء كانت من جنس ما تجب فيه الزكاة كالسوائم أو من غيره كالثياب

(الجوهرة النيرة على مختصر القدوري ج١/ ص١٢٤)

وتضم قيمة العروض إلى الثمنين

(مراقي الفلاح، ص٧١٧)

ولو نوى التجارة بعد العقد أو اشترى شيئا للقنية ناويا أنه إن وجد ربحا باعه لا زكاة عليه

(الدر المختار،ج۳/ ص۲۹۷)

قال في النهاية و الأولى صرفها إلى إخوته الفقراء

(حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح،ص٧٢٢)

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

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abrar Ahmad Motala

Date: 05 Jumaadal-Ulaa 1447 / 27 October 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb