Is it permissible for a relative of the Prophet (Banu Hashim) to serve as a Zakat administrator and receive compensation from Zakat funds?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Deposits

Book 34 · Issue 4 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is required that the administrator is not from the Prophet's close relatives unless their remuneration is paid from a source other than the Zakat funds. The strong evidence against this is the hadith where Al-Fadl ibn Al-Abbas and 'Abd al-Muttalib ibn Rabi'ah requested appointment, and the Prophet refused, stating that Zakat is unlawful for Muhammad and his family. This hadith is explicit regarding the prohibition of them receiving wages from Zakat, and it is not permissible to contradict this clear ruling. This situation differs from carriers or herders, who receive wages for their physical service, not for administering the Zakat itself.

Supporting text

The view among some of our associates is that the relative is permitted to take compensation from Zakat funds because it is a wage for a service, which is permissible even for a wealthy person. This is one of two reported opinions among the Shafi'i associates.