Can the Imam’s salary be paid from Zakat?

Question

There is a masjid in our area managed by my mothers brother. Now our masjid requires an imam. Can i give zakat to my mothers brother so that imam's salary would be given. In short can an Imam's salary be given from zakaat money or not?

Jibran Kadarkhan · Accepted Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh

An Imam provides a service for which he is entitled to a remuneration according to his employment contract.

Zakat funds have to be disposed of independently and separately to the poor and needy. Accordingly, zakat cannot be used as wages to pay the Imam. The Imam may be assisted with zakat funds if he is a legitimate recipient of zakat. However, he will still be entitled to his remuneration according to his employment contract. Zakat cannot be given to him to offset wages due to him.

And Allāh Ta῾āla Knows Best

Jibran Kadarkhan

Student Dārul Iftā

Mauritius

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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