Can a Hanafi Give a Shafi’i Zakat?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

A hanafi brother is living in a predominantly shafi’i land. He intends to give a portion of his zakat locally to shafi’i brothers. Is there any fiqh matter to take note of, or can he dispense his zakat as he would to hanafi brothers?

Answer

I pray you are well. 

There are no special considerations. Zakat can be given to any eligible Muslim who fits in one of the categories mentioned in the Qur’an (Qur’an, 9:60) Do consider giving some of it to the Islamic Scholars Fund, which helps many needy scholars and students teach and learn the religion. May Allah accept it from you.

When giving your zakat, or any charity, intend to donate the reward to all the believers, as recommended by Imam Muhammad Amin Ibn ‘Abidin in his work Radd al Muhtar. You’ll benefit much more through doing so.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.