Under the chairmanship of the Grand Mufti of the Muslims in the Republic of Bulgaria Dr. Mustafa Hadzhi, on May 19 (Tuesday) 2020 was held another meeting of the Fatwa Committee at the Supreme Muslim Council (SMC).

The meeting of the Committee had the following agenda:

1. Can zakah and sadaqah – fitr be given to Islamic Education Fund?

2. Can nikah (marriage) be done through video conference, where the two parties are not physically at the same place?

After discussions the Committee issued the following fatwas on the above-mentioned questions:

FATWA DECISION 13

Zakah and fitrah (sadaqa-i fitr) are the right of the poor people, based on the verse in the Holy Qur’an, saying that:

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] 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] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

 (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60)

Given that in the settlement of a Muslim, who has to give zakah and fitrah, there are poor people, who cannot meet their basic needs, it is best to give to them. If there are no such people, zakah and fitra can be given to the Islamic Education Fund, and it is necessary that the responsible for these funds people to spend them according to the 8 groups mentioned in the above verse.

Allah knows best!

FATWA DECISION 14

Nikah through video conference is jaiz (permissible) and is valid under the following conditions:

- to know the identity of both parties;

- to be known whether they are married or not;

- to know the identity of the witnesses;

- the witnesses to know the two people who want to marry

For this purpose, the official must require a set of documents, proving the identity and the marital status of the two parties. The witnesses must also prove their identity and have access to the documents, proving the identity and the marital status of the parties.

Allah knows best!