Can a man give Zakat from his wealth to his divorced wife to help her undergo necessary surgery if she cannot afford the treatment? Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta addressed this question and explained that the ruling depends on the type of divorce and whether the woman qualifies as a Zakat recipient.
Dar Al-Ifta clarified that there is a distinction between revocable divorce and irrevocable divorce. A woman divorced through a revocable divorce cannot receive Zakat from the category of the poor and needy during her waiting period. However, she may receive Zakat if she qualifies under another eligible category.
In the case of an irrevocable divorce, a man may give Zakat to his former wife if she qualifies as a recipient, including to help cover the cost of necessary surgery when she cannot afford the treatment.
Can a Woman Divorced Through Revocable Divorce Receive Zakat?
Dar Al-Ifta explained that a woman who has been revocably divorced cannot be given Zakat under the category of the poor and needy.
This is because she remains legally considered a wife during her waiting period in a revocable divorce. Therefore, the husband cannot give her his Zakat on the basis of poverty or financial need during that period.
However, there is an important exception. If the divorced woman qualifies for Zakat under another category, she may receive Zakat from that category.
For example, if she is among the debtors who qualify for Zakat under the relevant Islamic rules, she may receive Zakat on that basis.
Can an Irrevocably Divorced Woman Receive Zakat?
If the divorce is irrevocable, whether it constitutes a minor or major irrevocable divorce, the man may give Zakat to his former wife if she is eligible to receive it.
According to Dar Al-Ifta, this includes helping her pay for necessary surgery when she cannot afford the medical expenses.
The ruling differs from that of a revocable divorce because an irrevocable divorce ends the marital relationship in the relevant legal sense.
Ruling on Giving Zakat for a Divorced Woman’s Surgery
If an irrevocably divorced woman requires necessary surgery and cannot afford the cost, the person paying Zakat may give her from his Zakat provided that she qualifies as a legitimate Zakat recipient.
This applies when there is a genuine medical need and she lacks sufficient financial resources to cover the required treatment.
In contrast, a revocably divorced woman cannot receive Zakat from the category of the poor and needy during her waiting period. She may, however, receive it if she qualifies under another recognized category of Zakat recipients.
Difference Between Revocable and Irrevocable Divorce
The ruling explained by Dar Al-Ifta can be summarized as follows:
Revocably divorced woman: She cannot receive Zakat as one of the poor or needy because she remains legally considered a wife during the waiting period. She may receive Zakat if she qualifies under another category, such as debtors.
Irrevocably divorced woman: She may receive Zakat if she qualifies as an eligible recipient, including assistance with the cost of necessary surgery when she cannot afford the treatment.
Is It Permissible to Pay Zakat for a Divorced Woman’s Medical Treatment?
Yes, an irrevocably divorced woman may receive Zakat for medical treatment if she is eligible and unable to afford the necessary expenses.
For a revocably divorced woman, however, Zakat cannot be given to her on the basis of poverty or need during the waiting period. She may receive it if another valid category of Zakat eligibility applies.
Conclusion
Dar Al-Ifta clarified that the ruling on giving Zakat to a divorced woman depends on the type of divorce.
In the case of a revocable divorce, Zakat cannot be given to her as a poor or needy person because she remains legally considered a wife during the waiting period. She may receive Zakat if she qualifies under another eligible category.
In the case of an irrevocable divorce, Zakat may be given to the former wife if she qualifies as a recipient, including to help her undergo necessary surgery when she cannot afford the treatment.
Can Zakat be given to a divorced woman for medical treatment?
Yes, an irrevocably divorced woman may receive Zakat for treatment if she qualifies and cannot afford the necessary expenses.
Can a revocably divorced woman receive Zakat?
Not as a poor or needy person during her waiting period, but she may receive Zakat if she qualifies under another category.
Can Zakat be used to help a divorced woman pay for surgery?
Yes, if she is irrevocably divorced, qualifies for Zakat, and cannot afford the necessary surgery.
What is the difference between revocable and irrevocable divorce in this ruling?
A revocably divorced woman remains legally considered a wife during the waiting period, while an irrevocable divorce ends the marital relationship in the relevant legal sense.
