Accepting as Gift the Zakat You Gave – Shar‘i Ruling
📖 Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
The Question:
If someone gives zakat to an eligible recipient, and later that recipient gives the same money back to the giver as a gift (hadīyah), is it permissible to accept it?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
- If a person gives zakat to a needy recipient, and later that recipient willingly gives the same amount back to the giver as a gift, then there is no Shar‘i harm in accepting it, provided that:
① There was no prior secret agreement or planning between them about returning the zakat.
② The giver did not intend from the outset to get the zakat amount back. - However, it is more prudent and cautious for the giver not to accept such a gift, in order to avoid doubts or suspicion.
Conclusion:
Accepting as a gift the same zakat given earlier is permissible if done without prior arrangement or intent, but abstaining is better for avoiding questionable situations.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
