Fatwaa ID: 558

Question:
Can zakat be given the gatekeeper and driver working for us?
I have heard that Zakat does not apply to the helpers who one is paying herself/himself but in this situation they get paid through the company business account and with the astounding inflation I do not think that they own 7 Tola Gold.
Please advise.

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

1. If one’s employees are zakaah eligible, then they may be given zakaah. However, this must not be given as a form of payment. Their salary is something separate which has no connection to the zakaah. Zakaah funds given to eligible workers must be in excess of their salary. It may not have any effect on the salary.
2. The eligibility of zakaah is not determined by owning “7 Tola Gold”. If a person owns zakaatable wealth and/or non-essential wealth that is valued at nisaab or more, then he will not be eligible to receive zakaah. A person whose total wealth besides essentials is less than the nisaab amount will be eligible to receive zakaah. Due diligence must be applied by the donor.

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

07/17/1444 AH – 02/08/2023 CE | AML1-7040

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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