Transferring one's Zakaat in normal conditions

Answer

In normal conditions, it is not recommended to transfer one's Zakaat from one locality to another. For example, transferring the Zakaat from Port Louis to Rose Hill or Mauritius to India. Firstly, one should look for a person who is more deserving in one's street, then the next street, then one's locality as a whole. One should give preference to needy relatives over others. For example : one's brothers and sisters, one's paternal and maternal uncles and aunts and one's nephews and nieces. If these relatives stay in another locality, it will not be Makrouh to transfer one's Zakaat there: It is also not Makrouh to transfer one's Zakaat to the needy people of another locality or country in the following cases: 1. They are more pious. 2. They are studying the knowledge of Deen. 3. They are more needy. This ruling applies when Zakaat is being given after it is due (it becomes waajib on one). If Zakaat is given before it becomes Waajib on one (i.e. before one's Zakaat year ends), then one may send one's Zakaat wherever one desires. (Reference : Shami, Al Ashbaah Wan Nazaa'ir, Nurul Idaah)