Question Summary:
The question now is, what are the correct Masarif for such collections like zakah lillah sadaqa etc? People don’t know the difference between them so at times, people use such collections in the wrong manner. … Question Detail:
On donation boxes in various Masjids, they have written on them the following words:
Zakah
Sadaqah
General Donation
Lillah
The question now is, what are the correct Masarif for such collections? People don't know the difference between them so at times, people use such collections in the wrong manner. Even in our Masjid, people don't know the difference between Sadaqah collections (Nafil/Wajib) and Zakat collections and the General Donation collections. So a good write up on it would be beneficial for Muslims across the world.
It doesn't have to be really detailed....but something which would suffice to clarify the confusion.
Answer :
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
When Masjid congregants place their money in donation boxes, they give the money as an amānah (trust) to the Masjid committee members. It is necessary for the Masjid committee members to spend this money in its proper causes in a timely manner. In order to ensure this, first, the Masjid committee members should label the donation boxes properly. We recommend that donation boxes in the Masjids have the following labels on them:
Zakāh/Fitr
- Money donated from zakāh and sadaqat al-fitr.
- This money has to be given in the ownership of needy persons who are non-Sayyid (those from the Banī Hāshim lineage).
Sadaqah
- Money donated for the pleasure of Allāh ("Lillāh") and intended for the poor. However, the term “sadaqah” also applies to money donated for any noble cause. Often, people give sadaqah with the intention of their money reaching the poor when faced with any difficulty, worry, or affliction.
- It is not necessary to give sadaqah in the ownership of the poor and both, Sayyids and non-Sayyids, are valid recipients of it. Since the general understanding (‘urf) of the people is that sadaqah is meant for the poor, it is not correct for the Masjid committees to utilize this money for any other noble cause.
Masjid
- General donations intended to help the Masjid in its expenses.
- This is also a type of sadaqah, but its use has been specified by the donator. Therefore, money donated in this box should only be spent on Masjid expenses.
Next, Masjid committee members should make sure that they withdraw money from the correct donation boxes depending on where they intend to spend it. The following chart, especially if posted in the office of the relevant committee member(s), might be helpful:
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