Question
An Imaam at the local Masjid only gives the azaan and performs salaah is in need of funds for his son only for traveling to ____ to study. The cost of the entire Islamic course, board n meals are already donated. Can zakaah be given to his son for his travels?
Answer
From the manner in which the question has been posed we understand that the Imaam’s son is a mature adult that intends studying in ____ and is in need of funds for travel. If this is the case, then the son’s financial status will have to be considered to determine whether he qualifies as a recipient of Zakaat or not, and not the father’s. If he does not possess any assets such as cash, gold, silver, investments, or any superfluous unnecessary assets that exceed the Zakaat Nisaab, then he qualifies as a recipient of Zakaat and may be assisted with Zakaat funds. However,
if these personal assets are equivalent to or exceed the Zakaat Nisaab then he is not eligible to receive Zakaat as travel expenses.
When assisting him with his travel expenses the donor cannot use the Zakaat to directly pay the travel agent for the ticket. The eligible recipient must be first made owner of the required funds and thereafter only can those funds be utilized to purchase the travel ticket.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.