The agent gave the zakat to someone else contrary to the principal’s instruction

Question

The sender of the zakat had set the condition that these [funds] be given first to the tenant cultivators in such a way that his zakat would be discharged. [The agent] deliberately gave this money to the employees of “number three” (?). Will the zakat be discharged or not? If the zakat has not been discharged, on whom will this sin be? Please write in detail.

Answer

The agent (wakil) is a trustee (amin); he has no right to act contrary to the instruction of the principal (muwakkil). By going against it, compensation (daman) becomes binding upon the agent, and the zakat will not be discharged.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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