The Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Ali Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi, issued a fatwa – in his speech to the program "Sharia and Life in Ramadan" – to allocate 80% of zakat and charity during this year to those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
He saw that the people who were affected by the earthquake that struck the region last February - especially in northern Syria - are in urgent need of everything, so the priority for them is to pay zakat, followed by relatives in need, by allocating 20% of zakat to these relatives.
Dr. Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi reveals that he visited the areas affected by the earthquake, and personally observed the tragedy of those affected, especially in northern Syria, stressing that they need bread, water and everything.
A major earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on the sixth of last February, leaving a heavy toll of dead and wounded estimated at thousands.
The Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars also advises people who intend to perform Hajj and Umrah this year to allocate their money to those affected by the earthquake, saying, "If they spend money on these poor, their reward with God will be better," stressing the issue of achieving brotherhood in Islam as evidenced by the saying of the Almighty in Surat Al-Tawbah: (If you repent and establish prayer and pay zakat, then your brothers in religion).
The Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars describes zakat as a great pillar and includes basic meanings, including growth, purity, purification and supplication, and that God Almighty has defined its goals and the wisdom of taking it out in the Almighty's saying in Surat Al-Tawbah: (Take from their money a charity that purifies and purifies them), that is, purity, self-purification, and the removal of greed from the souls of the rich and greed from the souls of the poor.
Although God Almighty obligated zakat in 5 camels, Dr. Al-Qaradaghi confirms that there are some people who have buildings and refrain from paying zakat, stressing that zakat is a right for the poor and needy, and the money that a person owns is not his money, but it is the money of God Almighty, and families should raise their children on altruism and charity.
Manna and harm invalidate charity
The Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars calls - in his speech to the episode (2023/3/31) of the program "Sharia and Life in Ramadan" - not to boast of paying zakat and charity, and to give zakat to a person without looking at appearances, citing the saying of the Almighty in Surat Al-Insan: (And they feed food on his love poor, orphaned and captive), and these things are related to faith, faith and correct education.
Also, manna and harm invalidate alms, and Allah Almighty said in Surat Al-Baqarah: (O you who believe, do not invalidate your alms with manna and harm).
As for the category that deserves zakat only, he says that it is permissible for those who deserve it mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, such as the poor, the needy and Ibn al-Sabil, and that it may be paid through trusted charities.