Entrusted with delivering zakat money to a specific entity but could not

22-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Someone was given zakat and charity in order to deliver them to Muslim relief organizations in poor and deprived countries, but he was not able get in contact with the specified entities due to compelling reasons. What is the religious ruling in this regard?

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

If someone was entrusted with delivering zakat money to a specific entity, then he must deliver it to that specific entity which was identified by those who paid this zakat. However, if he could not deliver the zakat money to that entity, then he should give the money back to its owners or obtain their permission in order to pay it to other legitimate recipients of zakat.

Allaah Knows best.