Is it permissible for an agent to disburse zakat to another person who is more in need, but not specified by the principal, instead of the person designated by the principal?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The agent is not permitted to contravene what the principal has stipulated for him, because the agent's actions are restricted by authorization. If the agent acts contrary to what he was authorized for, there is a dispute among scholars as to whether he is liable for what he disposed of without the principal's permission or not. The more correct view is that he is liable, as mentioned by Ibn Abidin and the Permanent Committee. He is obligated to re-disburse the money and distribute it to those specified by the principal, unless the principal approves his unauthorized action.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/14000
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 14000
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy