Question:-
Can interest funds be utilized to clean a vacant plot and erect a fence for the benefit of all the residents of our area?
Answer:
By erecting a fence and cleaning a vacant area in the locality, all the residents in the area which comprise of people that are wealthy and poor, will benefit. It is not permissible for people possessing the Zakaat Nisaab to benefit from such funds, hence interest funds should not be used for the said project.
However, if the interest funds are given to a poor person that qualifies as a recipient of Zakaat, and he, thereafter (voluntarily) donates the funds towards erecting the fence and cleaning the area, then adopting such a procedure will be acceptable.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 29 Jumad-al-Ula 1443 / 03 January 2022
