Assalamu Alaykum: I was wondering, if we donated computers to those in need to Muslims in need and refugees here in San Diego, would that fulfill the Zakat obligations in relation to what we owe, naturally? JazakAllah Khair for your prompt reply as I`m trying to get together computers to be donated to local Muslims in need donated from other Muslims, and would like to advise the donors accordingly, if this could be used as Zakat Insh`Allah? Here, we are not talking about using $ donated to buy computers, but merely taking donations of computers to give to those in need? Samer

All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.

It may be allowable – according to hanafis and one of the opinions of ash-shafe`ee - if it was zakat on computers they trade in, otherwise it is not.

In your case, it doesn`t seem that all of those people trade in computers, thus it is not allowable for them to consider this charity part of their zakat.

Allah knows best.