Regarding this issue, we should understand that natural disaster victims usually are in dire need of help depending on the destruction they faced. In some cases, only a portion of their assets or property is destroyed, where some may experience a considerable amount of loss while others faced total loss to their property. In this case, let us understand the statement of Allah in surah al-Taubah, verse 60 (which means):

“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” [Al-Quran, surah al-Taubah, verse 60].

The above verse specifies the only people that have a right (qualified) to receive zakat (which is called the eight asnaf). The consensus of the fuqaha (Islamic scholars) agrees that it is impermissible to give zakat to people other than the specified people in the above verse.

In mazhab al-Syafie, it is obligated to divide the zakat towards the eight asnaf that have a right to receive zakat. While other mazhab’s opinion state that it is enough to give to a group of the asnaf. This fatwa is issued by Ibn al-Asma’ie and most contemporary scholars agree with this opinion, for it is hard to find all eight asnaf, as stated in Bughyah al-Mustarsyidin.

Regarding the above issue, some scholars hold the opinion that natural disaster that results in the destruction of property, the people involved are in need of help and in debt for themselves or their family. Hence, some scholars include them as the asnaf of al-gharimin or as the people in debt. The scholars set a condition that the debt must be for a necessity (desperate need) and not luxury and indulgence.

Hence, we state that it is permissible to give zakat to people that faced natural disasters, such as a huge flood, typhoon, landslide, earthquake, and others that result in the destruction of their home, crops or loss of all their property. They can be categorized as al-gharimin that are qualified to receive zakat.

Other than the above-stated evidence, based on opinions of scholars, Mujahid (one of Islamic scholar) states: “3 types of people that are considered as al-gharimin are:

• People that their property is washed away by flood;
• Their property is destroyed in the fire;
• Those that have dependents, but they are unable to provide for their dependents”

The above statement of Mujahid is in accordance with a hadith from Qabisah bin Mukhariq al-Hilali, he said (which means):

I was under debt and I came to the Messenger of Allah and begged from him regarding it. He said: Wait till we receive sadaqa, so that we order that to be given to you. He again said: Qabisah, begging is not permissible but for one of the three (classes) of persons: one who has incurred debt, for him begging is permissible till he pays that off, after which he must stop it; a man whose property has been destroyed by a calamity which has smitten him, for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support life, or will provide him reasonable subsistence; and a person who has been smitten by poverty. the genuineness of which is confirmed by three intelligent members of this peoples for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support him or will provide him subsistence. Qabisa, besides these three (every other reason) for begging is forbidden, and one who engages in such consumes that what is forbidden. [Narrated by Muslim (no. 1044)].

Dr. Husamuddin bin Musa ‘Iffanah, Professor of Fiqh and Usul from the University of al-Quds, Palestine also ruled it permissible to give zakat to the victims of natural disasters.

My opinion is; it is permissible to give zakat to them, based on the presented opinions above and I am inclined to suggest that it must be given through Baitulmal, then Baitulmal will act as the body of authority to disburse the funds by identifying the people who are really in need, according to the destruction assessment made and the necessities needed for each victim. The reason is, if zakat is given directly in huge amounts, it is feared that only some would receive the help they needed while other victims won’t receive any of it. Hence, the people that didn’t receive any zakat will feel wronged by the unjust distribution of zakat.

Baitulmal should mobilize all its resources to solve the problem as soon as possible because the needs in life are immediate. Hopefully, this answer will give enlightenment to those who ask in channeling the aid of zakat or other infaq to help our brothers in Islam who are involved in disasters such as floods and others.

Wallahua’lam.

Taken with slight changes from http://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/2054-irsyad-al-fatwa-series-14-the-ruling-of-giving-zakat-to-natural-disaster-victims-such-as-flood-and-others