The jurists have differed regarding the ruling on the cost of transferring Zakāh to a place outside the residence of the person giving Zakāh, which includes transportation and transfer fees.
- The majority of scholars from the Shāfi῾ī and Ḥanbalī schools hold that the cost of delivering the Zakāh is the responsibility of the one giving it — similar to other obligations like prayer and Ḥajj, where both the obligation and what is related to it are upon the individual.
- The Mālikī school agrees with the view of the majority if the Zakāh is distributed within the giver’s country. However, if it is to be transferred to another country, they consider the cost to be borne by Bayt al-Māl (Public Treasury).
The view we adopt is to distinguish between two cases:
- If the person paying Zakāh personally delivers it to the recipient, then the cost of transfer is his responsibility, because the Zakātable amount from his wealth is the right of the recipient. He is not permitted to deduct a portion for transfer costs, as he has no right to dispose of what is owed to the rightful recipients.
- If the Zakāh is handed to an agent on the Zakāh giver’s behalf, such as the government, a mosque, a relief organization, or even a traveler carrying it to the recipient’s country, then in this case, it is permissible to deduct the transfer fees from the Zakāh amount. This is because the reduction did not come from the side of the Zakāh payer, but rather is considered in the interest of the recipient.
After all, Allāh knows best.
Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr
