Ruling on consuming the wealth of the poor which is obtained from Zakah

2-4-2013 | IslamWeb

Question:

I live with a family whose father died leaving behind two sons, three daughters and a wife. They are all students and want to go to the Zakaah office to ask for financial support. I am an employee in a company with an adequate salary that suffices me and allows me to participate in the household expenses but not on a regular basis. I am about to get married and they know this. To explain, I want to marry one of the three girls but I have two questions:
1-Is it permissible for me to eat from their food which depends partially on Zakaah money? What should I do regarding this point?
2-I am planning to live with them after getting married to their daughter so what is required of my wife and I in the future?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

The money of Zakah is fully owned by the person to whom it is given once he receives it and the rulings concerning private wealth apply to it. Hence, there is no sin on the part of a well-off person to eat from that which is obtained with Zakah money if this is done by its poor owner's permission.

So, as you participate in the expenditures of that family, there is no wrong in you eating from that which is obtained from the Zakah money that this family consumes. There is also no wrong to live with your wife with them and share  their expenditures and livelihood.

Please note that your intention to marry one of the daughters of this family does not make it lawful for you to intermix with them or sit in seclusion with any or some of them.

Allaah Knows best.