#1110: On Who Is More Eligible To Your Sadaqah/Zakaat In Terms Of Blood Relation And/Or Proximity

Assalamu alaykum, i have a question regarding giving sadaqh/ zakah and jumping one’s neighbour and they are in need of it. What is the right of neighbour.

ANSWER:

Wa Alaykum Salam Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuh.

Alhamdulillah.

There is no doubt that Sadaqah and Zakaat in terms of priority are worth more to be given to those who are closest to you. The relationships between people are of different degrees. The one who is kin is closer to you than the one who is close only by proximity. But the kin who is close to you in proximity of living (neighborhood) is closer than the kin who is not close to you in proximity of living.

Likewise, the one who shares the same roof with you is closer than the one with whom you share only the same wall.

Also, your kin upon whom spending (Nafaqah) is obligatory upon you in a situation when he lacks is of higher priority than the kin upon whom spending is not obligatory upon you.

A knowledge of these differences and priorities is key to understanding how to spend and upon whom to spend. And the closer in kin and proximity of living, the more the priority of giving.

In the Hadith that was recorded by Imaam Al-Bukhaari from Anas bn Maalik, it is mentioned that Abu Talhah wanted to give Sadaqah with a garden of his which was the most beloving of his wealth to him, the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam exhorted him to give it to those who are his close relatives.

And in the Hadith that was recorded by Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Abu Daawud As-Sijistaani and others the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam said:

الصدقة على المسكين صدقة، وهي على الرحم صدقة وصلة

“Sadaqah to the Needy is Sadaqah and to the relative is both Sadaqah and Bonding (with relatives)”

In the same manner Sadaqah to the Needy is Sadaqah and to the Neighbor is both Sadaqah and Goodness to neighbors. Hence the Priority and the greater rewards.

But the Fuqahaa are agreed that giving it to other than those of priority does not invalidate the Sadaqah

And Allah knows best.

Barakallahu fikum
Jazakumullahu Khayran.

Abū Asim

13th Shaaban, 1442 AH.

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