Question :

Ustaz, a lot of individuals have been asking is it possible to make Zakat payment in a different state or outside of state of residency? Today, there is quite a handful of people who pays zakat outside of the country for various purposes. Can this act be in accordance with the Sharia?

Answer :

• The issue of making Zakat payment in a different state has never occurred until the times of Umar al-Khattab.
• There was a terrible state of drought in Medina to the point where the population starved.
• Muadz bin Jabal who became the governor and amil in Yemen sent zakat aid to Madinah. Umar initially refused and even scolded Muadz because his actions contradicted the prophet's hadith.
• However, Muadz argued that the people of Yemen are already in a state of self-sufficiency and the people who need help are the people of Medina. Hence, with this reasoning he wishes to send the zakat aid to Medina.
• Umar finally accepted the argument and accepted the help, and even ordered other governors in various Muslim regions to send help to Medina.
• This means that the distribution of zakat to other places is not done on a whim, but because there are three reasons: (1) The original population of the state already has sufficient needs; (2) Occurrence of urgent needs outside; (3) It is arranged by the government (G to G) for the benefit of the people. (Refer to Dr. Yusuf Qaradawi, Fiqh al Zakah, p. 802).
• In the context of the current practice in Selangor in particular, the distribution of zakat property outside Selangor does happen, but it is done by the zakat management with the permission of the government (MAIS and DYMM) through the monitoring of fatwas and the LZS Board of Trustees.
• Different regions or foreign countries that receive zakat compensation are also places that go through disasters such as major floods, tsunamis, disasters caused by war and so on.
• In this context, the transfer of zakat property takes place under very strict control and it is also ensured that it reaches those who are entitled to it safely.
• This is the same as what was done by Muadz bin Jabal when he sent zakat wealth from Yemen to Madinah. The aid was ensured that it reached the hands of the Madinah government safely, and was then distributed to the starving people of Madinah.
• The issue today happening in the current world is that the individuals who were appointed to hand over their tend to distribute the aid to certain donatories directly without taking into account whether the zakat property is still needed by the said donatories, and whether the place where the zakat is channelled is in dire need, as well as failure to consider whether the zakat was properly handed over to an authoritative and responsible body until it appropriately reaches the needy.
• In conclusion, the instructions of Ulil Amri shall be prioritised and the decision of the fatwa where zakat needs to be submitted within the country to an authoritative body (LZS). If there is a need outside the country, then let the authority decide whether zakat really needs to be channelled to said location or not.

Date of Input: 30/09/2022 | Updated: 27/02/2023 | mazrol