Resolution No. (246) by the Board of Iftaa', Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Zakah of Associations and Unions' Funds"
Date 2/Rabi' Al-Thani/1439 AH, corresponding to 21/11/2017 AD
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
During its 13th session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa', Research and Islamic Studies reviewed the letter sent from the Chairman of Jordan Housing Developers Association, and reads as follows:" We would like to ask about the Sharia Ruling on the Zakah's Nisaab {Minimum amount liable for Zakah}of the nonprofit funds of the Associations and Unions such as Jordan Housing Developers Association whose incomes consist of membership fees and other members' annual subscriptions. Moreover, these funds are distributed on the association's activities, employees' salaries, rents and many other activities. Yet, the aforementioned association is a nonprofit party and aims to develop the career of constructing apartments and buildings as is the case with many other unions. The statute of the Association is included in the letter?
After prolonged deliberations, the Board decided the following:
Zakah is a commandment of Allah to a Muslim with the conditions clarified by the scripts of Sharia and the first of which is "Possession" referred to, by jurists, as "Specific owner" since it is stated in [Nihayat Al-Muhtaj vol.3/pp.127]: "Being possessed by a specific owner is among the conditions that make Zakah on wealth obligatory."
Similar to endowment funds, the Zakah condition (Specific owner or owners) doesn't apply to the afore parties.
Moreover, Zakah is due on co-operative associations and other organizations that have a specific owner
or multiple shareholders. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Vice Chairman, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz, Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member
Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zo`bi, Member