Question:

What do the expert scholars of shari’ah say: In our locality, when someone is being treated in hospital, if blood is required then this must be purchased privately. If a patient has a life-threatening illness, and they require blood for treatment, but they cannot afford it, are they entitled to Zakat to purchase the blood?

Answer:

Yes, this will be permissible as the poor and needy are amongst the recipients of Zakat money. Allah ﷻ has mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

“Zakat is for the poor, the needy, its administrators, people whose hearts and minds are to be won, freeing the slaves, helping people in debt, to advance Allah’s cause, and for the needy traveller. This is a duty instructed by Allah, and Allah is the Knower, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Tawbah:60)

A poor and needy person is someone whose income does not cover their basic needs. This includes their food, water, accommodation, clothes, and their medical treatment.

And Allah ﷻ knows the best

This Fatwa is written by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Munir Al-Azhari