Distributing Sadaqah to employees
Question
Is it permissible to give Sadaqah money to those who work at petrol pumps and help to fill petrol, wash the car windows, check oil, water, and tyre pressure? What Niyyah should one have?
I also want to give Sadaqah to the Muazzin from Malawi. Do we need to know how much he earns? If I am allowed to give it to him, do I need to inform the Muazzin that the money is Sadaqah because I don’t feel good to say that it is Sadaqah money?
Answer
Nafl Sadaqah generally refers to a voluntary contribution that may be given to any individual, although it will be best to give it to the poor. However, if one is referring to Zakaat as Sadaqah then this category of Waajib Sadaqah can only be given to those who qualify as recipients of Zakaat. [Re: Kitaabun Nawaazil Vol:7 Pg: 265-266]
As explained above, if the money you are referring to is Waajib Sadaqah or Zakaat then one will have to see if the Muazzin is eligible to receive Zakaat or not. However, if one is referring to optional charity, then it will be permissible to give it to the Muazzin, and there is no need to inform him that it is Sadaqah.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
واما اهل الذمة فلا يجوز صرف الزكاة إليهم بالاتفاق إليهم ويجوز صرف صدقة التطوع إليهم بالاتفاق (الفتاوي الهندية ج١ص ١٨٨)
وَلَا يُشْتَرَطُ عِلْمُ الْفَقِيرِ بِأَنَّهَا زَكَاةٌ عَلَى الْأَصَحِّ لِمَا فِي الْبَحْرِ عَنْ الْقُنْيَةِ وَالْمُجْتَبَى الْأَصَحُّ أَنَّ مَنْ أَعْطَى مِسْكِينًا دَرَاهِمَ وَسَمَّاهَا هِبَةً أَوْ قَرْضًا وَنَوَى الزَّكَاةَ، فَإِنَّهَا تُجْزِئُهُ (حاشية الشرنبلالي على درر الحكام ص١٧٤)
- Answered by
- Maulana Ahmed Saeed
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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