Question

Assalamualeukum

I would like to enquire if it is permissible to give Zakah to such relatives who may have assets in the form of jewellery (gold and or silver) or as land owned for agricultural purposes. However one is not certain of the amount they have and whether it equals nisaab or not.

Could zakah be given to a relative who has nissab in the form of mixed gold/silver (lower value) for urgent hospital treatment or for building a house for living purposes.

Jazakhallah

Answer

If the value of a person’s assets, minus their essentials, reaches the nisab then it will not be permissible to give them zakat even if it is for medical expenses. A detailed investigation does not need to be done, however, one should have a level of conviction that the person is a valid recipient of zakat.  You may want to ask them regarding their assets and whether or not their personal assets reach the nisab (minus their essentials), and if this is difficult then ask a close relative or family member regarding their status. If they cannot take zakat then you may help them with optional charity.

When looking at one’s assets the lower nisab between gold and silver will be taken into consideration. Hence, if their assets reach the nisab of silver they will not be eligible to receive zakat.

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (2/ 352)
(دفع بتحر)

لمن يظنه مصرفا

(فبان أنه عبده أو مكاتبه أو حربي ولو مستأمنا أعادها)

(قوله: دفع بتحر)

أي اجتهاد وهو لغة الطلب والابتغاء، ويرادفه التوخي إلا أن الأول يستعمل في المعاملات، والثاني في العبادات. وعرفا طلب الشيء بغالب الظن عند عدم الوقوف على حقيقته نهر

(قوله: لمن يظنه مصرفا) أما لو تحرى فدفع لمن ظنه غير مصرف أو شك ولم يتحر لم يجز حتى يظهر أنه مصرف فيجزيه في الصحيح خلافا لمن ظن عدمه، وتمامه في النهر.
وفيه: واعلم أن المدفوع إليه لو كان جالسا في صف الفقراء يصنع صنعهم أو كان عليه زيهم أو سأله فأعطاه كانت هذه الأسباب بمنزلة التحري كذا في المبسوط حتى لو ظهر غناه لم يعد

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel