Fatwas and legal rulings

Ruling on spending on children of unknown parentage from zakat and alms

The principle of zakat is that it is given only to the eight categories stipulated. Imam al-Baydawi said in “Al-Tafsir” (4/336, Dar Sadr): [i.e.: Zakat is for the one who is calculated without others] Ah. As for voluntary charity, it is broader than zakat, in that it is permissible to give it to these eight categories and others, whether they are rich or poor, Muslim or non-Muslim, unlike zakat, and zakat is stipulated in that. What is not required in charity. Such as having certain money, passing a year, reaching the quorum, and extracting a certain amount from it; Imam Al-Nawawi says: [Voluntary charity is permissible for the rich without dispute; So it is permissible to pay it to them, and whoever pays it will be rewarded for it, but the one in need is better.] See: Al-Majmoo’ (6/236, i. Al-Irshad Library - Jeddah.). Those of unknown parentage are among the most caring of people; Because they do not know for themselves who will take charge of their affairs other than those who will sponsor them, so it is mustahabb to give them alms, and if they are poor then they are one of the types of zakat: they are taken from it. What meets all their needs in their living, food, drink, housing, education, marriage and other matters. As for refusing to pay them zakat or zakat on the grounds that they are forbidden children, then it is an accusation without evidence or evidence. Because not everyone who was arrested or found near a mosque or otherwise is a child of adultery. Because it is not permissible for a child to take responsibility for the sins of his parents, and Islam nullified that by the Almighty’s saying: (And say to someone else, not disliking him) [Al-Isra: 15]. If fornication is not one of the obstacles to paying zakat in Islamic law to someone who is entitled to it if he is an adulterer, then the first is not one of the obstacles to giving it to his son. Accordingly, it is permissible to spend on unknown proportions of zakat and zakat. God only knows.