Fatwaa ID: 1415

Question:
As salaamu alaikum.
I wanted to know if a person is struggling financially, but owns a car and TV are they considered zakaatable?
And if they own a car only and no TV?
Does it matter if they were given the TV or bought the TV?
Someone is in need of money for rent and wants zakaat but I’m not sure if given the above they can receive Zakaat.
Is WiFi considered a luxury in todays times? Can 1 receive zakat if they have WiFi?
They have to move out by Thursday this week by force and need R8000 to pay for rent at their new place or they will be homeless.
We want to help so need guidance ASAP for them to receive the cash before Thursday.
Just confirmed they have a TV nothing else.
And a car.
No WiFi jewellery etc
The car Was bought by someone to do work.
Cash owned is below nisab amount.
Sometimes he can’t even buy food.
Normal TV
Was his mother’s
They don’t have a stove…someone gave them a gas one.

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

We take note of the details of your query. May Allaah Ta’aala make it easy for the person in question.

A person will be eligible to receive zakaah if his zakaatable wealth and his non-essential non-zakaatable wealth together are less than the nisaab threshold. Essential belongings will not be counted. A car is regarded to be an essential item. Wi-Fi plans may also be regarded as essential. A stove is also essential. As for a TV, that is not an essential item. Thus, the TV’s value will be included in the total assessment. If the total zakaatable wealth and non-essential items, including the TV, are valued at less than the nisaab, then he may receive zakaah funds. In dire situations, the gold nisaab may be adopted.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

12/17/1444 AH – 07/05/2023 CE | AML1-8006

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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