Resolution No.(202) (12/2014), by The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:
Ruling on Collecting Zakah in Return for a Known Percentage from the Collected Amount
Date: (25/Shawal/1435 A.H); corresponding to (21/8/2014 A.D)
All praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and companions.
The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its tenth session held on Thursday (25/Shawal/1435 A.H)-(21/8/2014 A.D), the formal letter of His Eminence, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, and it reads as follows:
A company working in the media sector is about to start a TV show for raising monetary and in-kind donations for the Zakaah Fund. The show includes conducting field visits to beneficiaries of the Fund in order to brief them on its various activities and projects for promotional purposes provided that (25%) of the donations is used to cover the expenses of production, photography..etc. Would your grace refer this matter to the Iftaa` Board in order to clarify the ruling of Sharia in this regard.
After careful study and deliberation, the Board decided what follows:
The funds of Zakah (obligatory charity) are a trust at the disposal of the Zakah Fund. The Fund is to safe keep, take care of and spend from these funds in line with what Allah, The Almighty, Has Prescribed. He Says (What means): “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” {At-Tawbah/60}.
Giving a portion from the collected Zakah funds to such a company is inconsistent with any of the eight categories mentioned in the aforesaid verse since those employed to administer the funds are entitled to receive an amount parallel to their work and effort, and in accordance with specified rulings that aren`t met in this situation particularly since the company is charging a percentage that could grow to become thousands of JDs which results in squandering the Zakah funds in channels other than those for which it has originally been prescribed. This is in addition to the fact that Zakaah hasn`t been prescribed to be a factor in multiplying the wealth of media companies. Accordingly, we deem that such a project is impermissible from the view point of Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.
Head of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member