Question (Q-10):
Will the Zakāh of a donor be fulfilled if he or she donates Zakāh to an organisation and thereafter the wealth is destroyed before the organisation has made a poor person owner of the wealth? Will the ruling differ depending on the cause of the destruction; will there be any difference if the wealth is destroyed due to a natural disaster or it is stolen or it is destroyed by the actions of those responsible for its distribution?
Answer:
Answer with the Help of the All Knowing King:
When the money donated for Zakāh is destroyed then the obligation that was upon the donors drops regardless of the cause for the destruction. If any deception by the organisers led to the destruction of the wealth then the Zakāh of the donor will still be fulfilled but compensation will be necessary upon the organisers due to their deception.
It is stated in As Sirāj Al Wahhāj with reference to Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah;
ولو هلك المال في يد العامل أو ضاع سقط حقه وأجزأ عن الزكاة عن المؤدين
“And if the wealth is destroyed at the hands of the worker (who is responsible for distributing) or it becomes wasted then the obligation is dropped and the Zakāh of the donors is fulfilled.”
It is further elaborated in Al Bahr Ar Rāiq;
لأن يده كيد الإمام وهو نائب عن الفقراء
“Because his hand is like the ruler’s hand and he is the representative of the poor.”
Al Imām Ahmad Ridhā Khan قدس سره stated in Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah;
لا ضمان علي الأمين إلا بالتعدي
“There is no compensation upon the trustee except when he transgresses.”
Allah the Almighty knows best and His Knowledge is Most Complete and Sublime.
Answered by: Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
