What is the ruling on collecting zakat money for two years or more to buy a house for a poor person, compared to distributing it in a way that no one benefits from?
Zakat must be disbursed immediately upon its due date, and it is not permissible to delay it except for the time needed to deliver it to its rightful recipients. Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, was of the opinion that it is not permissible to purchase a residence for a poor person from zakat funds; rather, a dwelling should be rented for him from it, and the remaining amount should be given to other poor people. Thus, withholding funds to purchase a residence for a poor person contradicts the obligation of disbursing zakat immediately.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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