Can we pay Zakat to Syed people? We are Indian.

Question

Imam Sahib, Can we pay Zakat to Syed people? My wife?s elder sister is poor, can we pay zakat to her, they are Syed? Also, can I pay zakat to her without mentioning that this is zakat amount? Can I pay zakat to my sister she is poor and living in our home? We are Indian. Hanafi Muslim.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

1. Kindly refer below our standard reply to similar queries. 2. It is permissible for you to discharge your Zakaat to your sister. You do not have to tell her it's Zakaat. You may state that it is a gift to her.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned, 'O Children of Hashim! Verily Allah Ta'ala has prohibited for you the dirty water and filth of the people and given to you in exchange a 5th of the one fifth (of booty received in war.' (Hidaaya vol.1 pg.206; Maktaba Ilmiyyah)

In this Hadith, Zakaat funds have been referred to us dirty water and filth due to the fact that Zakaat is a purification of the wealth, removing from it the dirt of any sin accruing over the year. Hashim was the great grandfather of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). The Banu Hashim include not only the descendants of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) but the descendants of Abbaas, Ali, Ja'far, Aqeel, Uthmaan, the brothers of Ali and the descendants of Harith ibn Abdul Muttalib (Radhiallaahu Anhum). The Uncle of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as well. (Ibid)

One should, however, assist them through gifts and Lillah (voluntary monetary endowment solely for the pleasure of Allah). (Fataawa Mahmoodiya vol.7 pg.255; Mahmoodiyah)

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