Islam Question and Answer - Giving zakaah to one who is seeking worldly knowledge

Fri 7/12/1429 - 5/12/2008

» Are all the ahaadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaari saheeh (sound)?.

» Does the intention of offering ‘aqeeqah count for the udhiyah as well, and vice versa?.

» Is it better for woman to go out to the Eid prayers or to stay at home?.

» It is not prescribed for the pilgrim doing ifraad to do ‘Umrah after Hajj.

» A website transfers money to anyone who answers certain questions.

» A pilgrim who is doing Qiraan cut his hair after saa’i out of ignorance.

» What should the one who wants to offer a sacrifice refrain from doing?.

» Should two khutbahs be given on Eid or only one?.

» Can he give sadaqah or zakaah to his sisters who are students and for household expenses?.

» It is mustahabb to fast the first eight days of Dhu’l-Hijjah for pilgrims and others.

95418

Principles of Fiqh » Jurisprudence and Islamic Rulings » Acts of Worship » Poor-due or obligatory charity » Where Zakaah is to Be Spent

Giving zakaah to one who is seeking worldly knowledge

My sister is married to a man who only works sometimes but he is also stingy and does not spend on her or her children. She works and pays for all the household expenses, and now she is being forced to complete her studies so that she can get a higher certificate, otherwise she will lose her job, but she needs money to do these studies. Is it permissible for me to give the zakaah of my wealth to her?.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible to give zakaah to a seeker of worldly knowledge who does not have enough to support him, if the knowledge that he is studying is permissible and is needed, so that he will be able to work and find a job, because getting these certificates has become a real necessity without which one cannot usually find employment.

Al-Mardaawi says in al-Insaaf (3/218): Shaykh Taqiy al-Deen favoured the view that it is permissible to take zakaah in order to buy books that he needs including books of knowledge that is indispensable for his religious and worldly affairs. End quote. And this is the correct view. End quote.

Based on this, there is nothing wrong with your giving the zakaah of your wealth to your sister.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A