Burial fund
Category:
Zakaat & Charity
According to Madhhab:
Hanafi
Reference:
1441-111
Question:
In
my country, the burial costs for someone passing away amount to approximately
US$1000.
With regards to reverts who pass away, many of them do not carry or barely
carry such expenses to fulfill such costs.
Also, majority of times, the funeral management/committee do not have the
amount to mete the expenses, whereas they then contact me as I was the one who
read to the revert his shahadah. Then, all responsibility falls on my shoulder.
And thus my question:
Is it permissible, to create such a funding, wherein whilst such persons are
alive and on signing the appropriate documentation of ensuring him being a
Muslim and approving of a ‘Muslim’ burial, he then contributes *zakat money
given to him* towards the funds meaning that the fund will keep that money
specific for his burial, which will then be used to carry out his burial fees
on his passing? In the scenario where for some reason he passed away in another
country then that same money can be used for his burial over there or be part
of his assets to be distributed.
my country, the burial costs for someone passing away amount to approximately
US$1000.
With regards to reverts who pass away, many of them do not carry or barely
carry such expenses to fulfill such costs.
Also, majority of times, the funeral management/committee do not have the
amount to mete the expenses, whereas they then contact me as I was the one who
read to the revert his shahadah. Then, all responsibility falls on my shoulder.
And thus my question:
Is it permissible, to create such a funding, wherein whilst such persons are
alive and on signing the appropriate documentation of ensuring him being a
Muslim and approving of a ‘Muslim’ burial, he then contributes *zakat money
given to him* towards the funds meaning that the fund will keep that money
specific for his burial, which will then be used to carry out his burial fees
on his passing? In the scenario where for some reason he passed away in another
country then that same money can be used for his burial over there or be part
of his assets to be distributed.
Answer:
If a new Muslim accepts Islam and is eligible for receiving Zakaat then Zakaat funds may be given to him and he in return may donate it as Lillah to your organization to later utilize it for the burial of reverts who do not have sufficient finds in their estate to cover their burial.
This method may be implemented if there are just a handful of new Muslims but could become complicated or difficult if a number of Muslims are accepting Islam on a daily basis, as keeping track of all the funds could become an issue (in that the funds have been re-donated by the Zakaat recipients specifically for burial use, and surplus funds may inadvertently be used for other purposes).
To avoid such complications, we suggest that a general fund be set up and people encouraged to contribute towards the fund using Lillah funds. These funds can be then used to assist all needy and deserving Muslims in a general manner (for burials as well as other needs).
If collecting Lillah funds is an issue, then (as stated in the first paragraph), eligible recipients of Zakaat may receive Zakaat funds and then voluntarily contribute it towards the fund not only for burials, but for general use (which would include inter alia, burials) in order to assist the needy.
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST
ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B
Date: 13 Safar 1441
English Date: 12 October 2019