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Fatwa CenterCharity for descendants of the Prophet
Question
I work in a charity organisation in Pakistan and one of the activities we are doing is to support poor orphans for their education, health and other basic needs. Sometime we come across the families who are the descendents of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is said that in Islam it is not permissible to give sadaqah to such people. Should we support such families with orphan children or not? I thank you for your help.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Giving Sadaqah (charity and Zakah) to those who belong to the family of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) is not permitted. The Prophet said: "Indeed, Sadaqah ought not to be given to the family of Mohammad. Zakah is nothing but filth that comes out from people's properties." [ Muslim and Ahmad ].
However, many scholars permitted them to take Sadaqah if they are not given from the one fifth (of al al-Khums) that is mentioned in the following verse: {What Allâh gave as booty (Fai') to His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from the people of the townships, - it is for Allâh, His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), the kindred (of Messenger Muhammad SAW), the orphans, AlMasâkin (the poor), and the wayfarer, in order that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you……} [59:7]
This permission is as compensation to them if any unjust ruler prevents their right from al-Khums or the Bait al-Mal (treasury) is empty or the like reasons.
Know that, in this case, if they are not granted the Sadaqah they become poorer which is contrary to what Allah enjoins on Muslims concerning the family of the prophet. He ordered Muslims to love them compulsorily. Allah says: {"No reward do I ask of you for this except to be kind to me for my kinship with you."} [42:23]
Therefore, there is no harm to support the orphans who belong to the family of the Prophet Mohammad if the charity organization does not have other money to fulfill their needs.
Allah knows best.
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