Answer: If what you owe is denominated in dirhams, it is permissible to pay it in another currency, provided you give the exact equivalent—the amount that matches its value and the exchange rate prevailing in the market at that moment.

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Tampering with Zakat

Question: I used to work for a wealthy businessman. Whenever he wished to distribute his zakat, I would supply him with fictitious names so that I could receive the shares supposedly allotted to them. He would actually hand over money for me to distribute to those whose names I had given, even though they did not exist. I would then pass a portion of the money to some deserving poor people and keep the rest for myself. I support a family and children, but I now regret what I did. What must I do for my repentance to be valid?

Answer: Zakat is a weighty matter and a serious responsibility; it is not permissible to tamper with it or to scheme to take it in the manner you described, namely by supplying the zakat-payer with fictitious names, taking the money, and then giving the zakat to whomever you choose while allocating a share for yourself. You must disclose the truth to the zakat-payer and clarify the real situation with regard to yourself and to others.

What you have done is unlawful; it is a form of lying and fraud, and you have committed a wrongdoing. However, since you have felt remorse, recognised your mistake, and repented to Allah, we hope that Allah will accept your repentance and erase the sin that has attached to you. If you are able, you must return the money to the zakat-payer and inform him of the facts so that he can re-commission you to distribute it properly; this is obligatory. But if you are unable to retrieve the amount and it has been spent, and you cannot