Question:
Assalam u alaikum,
If the monthly pension a person receives has an equivalent value to or surpass a nisaab (calculated using silver). Can that individual still be given zakat?
Answer:
Wa ‘Alaikum As-Salām
الجواب وبالله التوفيق
The Jurists have stated regarding one who possesses the Nisāb of Zākāt, excluding his necessary needs and debts, it is impermissible for him to receive any Zakāt as he is considered an invalid recipient. This is because he is considered “Ghaniyy-Wealthy” in light of the Sharī’ah.
The Damascene jurist, ‘Allāmah Al-Maydānī writes in his “Al-Lubāb”,
(و لا تدفع إلى غنيٍّ) يملك قدر النصاب من أي مالٍ كان فارغاً عن حاجته.
“(Zakāt cannot be given to one who is Ghaniyy); meaning, one who possesses the Nisāb (regardless the form of wealth) excluding his necessary needs.”
(Al-Lubāb, 2/357, Dār as-Sirāj)
Ref:
Al Fatāwā At-Tātārkhāniyyah, 3/214, Rashīdiyyah
Al-Ghāyah, 7/114, Wahīdiyyah
Al-‘Ināyah, 1/596, DKi
Fath Al-Qadīr, 2/27, An-Nawādir
Al-Bahr Ar-Rā’iq, 2/426, Rashīdiyyah
Tahtāwī ‘ala-Durr, 3/283, Wahīdiyyah
Radd Al-Muhtār, 3/346
And Allāh Ta’ālā Knows Best.
(Muftī) Saeed Ahmad Khan
Darul Iftā | Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
16-11-2023.
Checked and approved:
Muftī Waseem Khan حفظه الله
Darul Iftā | Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
Head Muftī
16-11-2023.