Question Summary:
Imam of our masjid told me that I can not send Zakat to home country if there are poor needy people here in USA, specially in our own community. On the other hand my family back in Pakistan is insisting me to send zakat money to poor and needy people of Pakistan, specially in our locality in Pakistan. I am confused now, where to spend zakat money?

Question Detail:

I read your Fatwa #  13532. it appears that you can send your Zakat to your home coutry while living outisde of it. Now here is my question. I live in USA and Imam of our masjid told me that I can  not send Zakat to home country if there are poor needy people here in USA, specially in our own community. On the other hand my family back in Pakistan is insisting me to send zakat money to poor and needy people of Pakistan, specially in our locality in Pakistan. I am confused now, where to spend zakat money. Secondly I dont know needy people personally here in USA but I totally believe in my Imam Masjid. Our Imam masjid has a Zakat committe who verifies about poor and needy people here in USA. Please guide me what I am suppose to do in this situation.

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh
It is permissible to send your Zakaat over to espically if your own relatives are deserving of Zakaat. If your relatives are not deserving of Zakaat,then too you may send your Zakaat to if there is a greater need there for the funds. (Ahsanul Fataawa Vol.4 Page 259; Shaami chapter on Zakaat Vol.2).
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Muhammed Zakariyya Desai,
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah