Question: A small group of sisters help other muslimahs and their families with small needs, such as help with utility bills, food, small medical costs, emergency needs of different kind, All monies only come by way of sadaqah given by muslims (no governmental funding and we are not registered as a charity) They also help disperse donated clothing to those in need. All this in done via the internet, email, postal and fax. While they do charitable acts, they are not registered as a charity. Is this something permissable for them to do? And also would this endeavor fall under the shariah to receive zakat? Since they help the poor and needy?

Answer: It is okay to organize a charitable organization with the objective of reaching those who are needed. It is better to register this organization since this would help execute its objectives. If the organization becomes registered in a Non-Muslim land and it becomes eligible to receive funds from the goverment in ways that do not contradict the sharee'ah then it is okay to accept, and to spend in the overall infrastructure of the Muslim community. It is advised that the organization's role does not turn into any party role,and that the people in charge verify, to the best of their ability, those who are in need so that their spending is just and trusted. And Allah Knows Best
Dr. Saleh As-Saleh from a question posed 22 Rajab 1426/August 27th 2005
 
Question :   There are many unmarried muslim sisters. Is it permissable to put together some kind of organization to help the sisters out financially so they could stay away from having to get a job in a kafr  environment . Or to help them out so they will not ask from the kufr or to help them and not ask for sadaqah or as for any kind of help?
 
Answer: As in the matter of the government , the government can give them something , its ok for them to go and ask. There is no prohibition in regards to that. But it would be best , it would be best instead of having a jamiah or an organization to help them out , we should be marrying them off. We should be marrying those many unmarried muslim sisters off. So they will not become  too old, and get  old out of the age of marriage. So she will not be corrupted or go astray . This is your society. This is your society. Each one of you should make his own little  group and help each other out. Smaller groups , easier to manage in one suburb, or one land, or one country, than big groups. So you should be cooperating amongst each other.
 
 Each one of you should be taking an extra  wife. To help her out , and to help yourself out. And help your wife and your children out.But as for the matter of asking for help from the government , theres nothing wrong with that, theres nothing wrong with that.  And if that is not enough then you can help them out through  the so called organization of yours. Then you can help them with extra with the organization you are talking about.
 
Shaykh Hasan Ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab al-Bannaa from a telelink on 8th Dhul-Hijjah 1426 AH/January 8th 2006