Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta explained the ruling on giving zakat to a divorced woman to help her cover the cost of a necessary surgical procedure.
The clarification came in response to a question about whether zakat may be given to a divorced woman who is unable to afford the required medical expenses.
The ruling differs according to the type of divorce, with a distinction between a revocable divorce and an irrevocable divorce.
Can Zakat Be Given to a Divorced Woman?
Dar al-Ifta explained that a divorced woman may be entitled to zakat if she meets one of the recognized conditions for zakat recipients.
However, the ruling depends on the type of divorce.
If the woman was divorced through a revocable divorce, she remains legally considered a wife during her waiting period. Therefore, her former husband may not give her zakat on the basis of poverty or need during that period.
If the divorce is irrevocable, the former husband may give her zakat if she qualifies as a recipient.
Ruling on Zakat for a Revocably Divorced Woman
Dar al-Ifta clarified that a woman who has been divorced through a revocable divorce cannot receive zakat from her former husband on the basis of poverty or need during her waiting period.
This is because she remains legally considered his wife during the waiting period.
Can a Revocably Divorced Woman Receive Zakat for Another Reason?
Yes. Dar al-Ifta explained that she may qualify for zakat for a reason other than poverty or need.
For example, if she qualifies as one of those who are burdened by debt, she may receive zakat from that category, provided the applicable conditions are met.
Ruling on Zakat for an Irrevocably Divorced Woman
The ruling is different when the divorce is irrevocable, whether it is a minor or major irrevocable divorce.
In this situation, the former husband may give his divorced wife zakat from his wealth if she qualifies as a zakat recipient.
This may include helping her cover medical expenses or the cost of a necessary surgical procedure when she is unable to afford the treatment.
Can Zakat Be Given to a Divorced Woman for Surgery?
An irrevocably divorced woman who qualifies to receive zakat may receive assistance from her former husband’s zakat if she is unable to cover the cost of a necessary surgical procedure.
For a revocably divorced woman, however, zakat cannot be given by her former husband on the basis of poverty or need during her waiting period.
She may nevertheless qualify for zakat under another recognized category, if the relevant conditions are fulfilled.
The Difference Between Revocable and Irrevocable Divorce
The ruling explained by Dar al-Ifta can be summarized as follows:
- Revocably divorced woman: Her former husband cannot give her zakat because of poverty or need during the waiting period.
- Revocably divorced woman with another qualifying status: She may receive zakat if she qualifies under another category, such as debtors.
- Irrevocably divorced woman: Her former husband may give her zakat if she is eligible.
- Necessary surgery: An eligible irrevocably divorced woman may receive zakat to help cover necessary surgical expenses when she cannot afford the treatment.
Dar al-Ifta Clarifies the Ruling on Zakat for Divorced Women
Dar al-Ifta emphasized that a divorced woman’s eligibility for zakat is not based simply on her status as a divorcee.
Instead, eligibility depends on the specific category through which she qualifies for zakat, along with the type of divorce involved.
Accordingly, the ruling differs between revocable and irrevocable divorce and depends on the reason for which the woman qualifies to receive zakat.
Conclusion
The ruling on giving zakat to a divorced woman depends on the type of divorce and whether she meets the requirements for receiving zakat.
A revocably divorced woman cannot receive zakat from her former husband because of poverty or need during her waiting period, although she may qualify through another category, such as being burdened by debt.
An irrevocably divorced woman may receive zakat from her former husband if she is eligible, including assistance with the cost of a necessary surgical procedure when she is unable to afford the treatment.
Can a divorced woman receive zakat?
Yes, if she qualifies as a zakat recipient. The ruling depends on the type of divorce and the category through which she qualifies.
Can a revocably divorced woman receive zakat from her former husband?
She cannot receive it on the basis of poverty or need during her waiting period because she remains legally considered his wife.
Can an irrevocably divorced woman receive zakat from her former husband?
Yes, if she meets the requirements for receiving zakat.
Can zakat help a divorced woman pay for surgery?
Yes, an eligible irrevocably divorced woman may receive zakat to help cover the cost of necessary surgery when she cannot afford the treatment.
