Are relatives (Dhawu al-Qurba) prohibited from receiving obligatory charity if they are employed to collect it?

Chapter on Zakat on Sheep

Al-Mughni

Book of Zakat

Book 8 · Issue 3 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The apparent ruling is that relatives are prevented from receiving obligatory charity even if they are working as collectors. This is because what they receive as workers is considered wages, which is permissible for them, similar to a hired porter or a warehouse keeper whose storage space is rented. This is supported by the narration of Abu Rafi' and the narration in Sahih Muslim where Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Rabi'a ibn al-Harith sought to be appointed over the Zakat collections, and Ali advised against it, leading to the Prophet's statement that charity is the filth of people and is not lawful for Muhammad or his household, implying the prohibition extends to the obligatory charity collected.

Supporting text

There is a view among the companions that they are permitted to receive it as compensation for their work (amal), as payment is permissible for them, akin to a wage.