Or it may derive from connection, meaning the mending of that which requires joining.

In any case, “reconciling people” means that there is enmity and discord between one group and another, and then someone comes and reconciles them. Yet he may be unable to bring about reconciliation without spending money. So he says, “I undertake to pay each of you ten thousand riyals, on condition that you reconcile,” and they agree to this. This man is then given from zakat whatever he must pay for this reconciliation; thus, he is given twenty thousand.

If he pays it from his own wealth, he is not given anything, because once he has paid it from his own wealth, he is no longer a debtor: he has no debt upon him now.

However, the matter should be explained in detail: he is given from zakat in two cases:

1. If he has not paid it from his own wealth, then his liability remains outstanding, and it must be discharged.

2. If he paid it from his own wealth intending to seek reimbursement from those entitled to zakat, so that we do not close the door to reconciliation. Allah the Exalted says:

“There is no good in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people.” [Quran 4:114]

Moreover, circumstances may require payment to be made immediately.

There are two cases in which he is not given from zakat:

1. If he paid from his own wealth intending thereby to draw nearer to Allah, because he spent it for Allah’s sake and it is therefore not permissible for him to seek it back.

2. If he paid from his own wealth without intending to seek reimbursement from those entitled to zakat.