Sending the Zakaat of one place to another

Question: Is it permissible to send the Zakaat of one place to another?

Answer: In principle, it is Makruh to send Zakaat of one place to another. When one says “from one place to another”, it does not merely mean from one country to another country. It also means from one place to another within the same country.

For example, according to this principle, it will be Makruh to send the Zakaat of Port Louis to Flacq and vice versa. Nevertheless, this principle will not apply in the case where one’s close family who deserves Zakaat stays in another place. That is, it will not be Makruh to send Zakaat to the place where his close family resides. Likewise, it is not Makruh to send it to another place where they are more in need or where the Zakaat can be used in a more efficient and beneficial way. Similarly, it will not be Makruh to send it before one’s completion of the year of Zakaat.

[English Version of "Avoye zakaat de ene l'endroit à ene l'autre" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.3]