People to Whom Zakat is Paid

   

People to whom Zakat is paid are those that are entitled to it, and these are the eight categories of people that Allah Almighty mentioned exclusively in His statement:

 “As-Sadaqah (Zakah) are only for the Fuqara’(poor), and Al-Masakeen (the needy), and those employed to collect (the Zakah), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, and to free captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah’s cause (i.e. for those fighting in holy battles), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” (At-Taubah: 60)

1-The poor

Definition: The plural of a faqir, a person who does not have anything with which he can fulfil his basic needs and that of his family i.e. food and drink, clothing and shelter.


He is given from Zakah that which is enough to sustain him and his family for a complete year.

2-The needy

The plural of miskeen, a person who possesses half or more of his needs e.g. a person with one hundred but needs two hundred. The balance he needs is given to him and his family for a year.

3- Its administrators

Those who have been appointed by the authorities to gather Zakat and monitor its distribution to those who need it. -They are given from the Zakat fund an amount equal to the wages they get for their work, even if they are rich, for the collectors have devoted themselves to this work unless they are paid wages or salaries from the state and then they should not be given from the Zakah. The collectors are those who work in collecting Zakah, recording it, guarding it and giving it out to its beneficiaries.

(I) Settling the administrators of Zakah.

A Zakah administrator and a debtor-even if they are rich-are paid from the Zakah. This is also the case of a person capable of earning a living if he is fully engaged in seeking knowledge of the Shari’ah but does not have money - because seeking knowledge is (a form of) striving in the cause of Allah.

(II) The fighter in the cause of Allah

Also included in these categories is the fighter in the cause of Allah and those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam. However, in a case where the one capable of earning is a worshipper that left his work to fully devote himself to optional aspects of worship, he is not paid from Zakah, because the benefit of the worship is restricted to the worshipper, as in contrast to knowledge.Allah Almighty said:

Allah Almighty said: “O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise. Shaitan (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al- Baqarah: 267:268)


4-Those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam

Those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam
Respected leaders, for whom it is hoped, by giving them Zakah, that they will either accept Islam, refrain from evil, have their faith strengthened (if already Muslims), or defend the Muslims against an enemy.

They are given from the Zakah an amount that results in their hearts being inclined towards Islam, God willing.

5- The Slaves

The slave and the partial slave (who is the slave who is trying to buy himself from his master) are given from the Zakah what is enough for them to free themselves completely.


Zakah can be paid to them so that each one of them is able to become a completely free man and a useful member of the society and be able to worship Allah, the Highest, in the best manner. Paying the ransom for Muslim prisoners of war is also included in this category.

6- Debtors

Debtors (Al-Gharimoon)
The plural of gharim: The one in debt.

Debtors are of two types:(I) - A person who incurs a debt to fulfil his personal needs; he is given from Zakah an amount to pay the debt if he is poor.

(II) - A person who incurs a debt as a result of reconciling two groups of Muslims; he is given from Zakah an amount to pay his debt, even if he is rich.

7- For Allah’s cause for Allah’s cause

Those who are fighting in the cause of Allah.

They are given an amount that will suffice them in fighting in the cause of Allah. Also included in this category are numerous da’wah activities that are counted as striving in the cause of Allah, if such could not be sponsored or sustained through non-obligatory alms (Sadaqah).

8- The wayfarer wayfarer

A traveller who is stranded and has no money with him.

He is given from Zakah an amount that ensures his safe delivery to his country of residence, even if he is rich in his own country.

Warning

(I)- Zakah can never be given to any other than the eight categories of people mentioned, even if it is for a good and philanthropic cause e.g. the building of Mosques, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes which are eligible for alms.

(II)- It is not a condition to cover all of the eight categories mentioned; rather, it suffices if any of them is given the Zakah.

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