Question
I would like to know how do I determine who the rightful recipients of zakaah are?
Are recipients those that do not have wealth, being cash and jewellery above the zakaah nisaab? Or do we also consider debts of the person?
What if the person has wealth below the zakaah nisaab but has luxury items like a car or cell phone?
Answer
Those that do not possess Nisaab qualify as recipients of Zakaat. Similarly, those that possess Nisaab but their liabilities or debts exceed their Zakaatable assets, then they too are eligible for Zakaat.
As for a person owning wealth that is below the Nisaab amount, but owns “luxuries” such as a motor vehicle and/or a phone, then he too would be eligible for Zakaat provided that these “luxury” items are for personal use and in use on a regular basis. In today’s time and age a motor vehicle or phone for personal daily use is not a “luxury” (as you have termed it), but a necessity.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.