Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(88): “Ruling on Giving Zakat for Building a School“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(88) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

“Ruling on Giving Zakat for Building a School“

Date: 28/4/1426 AH, corresponding to 8/6/2005 AD.

 

 

 

Question:

 

Are the sums donated by charity givers for building a school considered from the Zakat due on their property?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The channels of Zakaah have been set by the Islamic Sharee'ah within the eight categories mentioned in the Quran. Allah The Almighty 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}.

Moreover, Zyad Ibn Al-Harith Al-Suda`i narrated: “ I came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and swore allegiance to him, and after telling a long story he said: Then a man came to him and said: Give me some of the sadaqah (alms). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Allah is not pleased with a Prophet's or anyone else's decision about sadaqat till He has given a decision about them Himself. He has divided those entitled to them into eight categories, so if you come within those categories, I shall give you what you desire.” {Abu Dawood}.

Since building the school isn`t within the  categories eligible to receive Zakat, then it is impermissible to consider the sums donated by charity givers for this purpose as Zakat of their property.

 

Board of Iftaa`
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izzaldeen At-Tamimi
Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi                        Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan
Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi                                  Sheikh Naeim Mojahid
Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh      Dr. Wasif Al-Bakri
Dr. Abdulsalaam Al-Salaheen                   Dr. Ahmad Hilayil

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.

What is the ruling on the prayer of the individual following the imam whose prayer is broadcasted via television?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Among the conditions for the validity of following an Imam (Sihhat al-Iqtida’) is that the Imam and the follower (Ma’mum) must be in the same location. Therefore, the prayer of one who follows an Imam whose prayer is being broadcast via television from a distant location is not valid. However, if the follower is with the Imam in the same mosque, the prayer is valid. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on mentioning Allah`s name upon slaughtering an animal?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is Sunnah for the slaughterer to say at the time of sacrificing the Udhiyah: (Bismillah - In the name of Allah); due to the saying of the Almighty: "So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned" [Al-An'am/118]. It is not obligatory; if one leaves it out intentionally or forgetfully, the consumption of the meat remains permissible. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

 I`m keeping a plot of land (10 Dunums) for my children. Is it liable for Zakah?

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

Land that is purchased with the intention of ownership and personal benefit—meaning to retain it for use and not for trade—is not subject to zakāh, as such property is not considered from trade commodities (ʿurūḍ al-tijārah).
 
It is stated in Al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr:
“If it is property and one intends it for trade, then zakāh is due upon it; but if he intends it for personal possession, then no zakāh is due upon it.” And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.