Understanding Zakah RecipientsThe Eight Categories of Zakah Recipients
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.
Zakah is an obligatory act of worship. A person paying Zakah therefore may not direct it toward every good cause of personal choosing, no matter how beneficial that cause may be in itself. Allah Himself has identified those entitled to receive it and limited them to eight categories. Zakah is valid only when it reaches a recipient category established by Islamic law.
Allah Most High says:
{إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالمَسَاكِينِ وَالعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ} [التوبة: 60].
Meaning: {Zakah is only for the poor, the needy, those employed to administer it, those whose hearts are being reconciled, for freeing those in bondage, for those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler. This is an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [al-Tawbah: 60].
The word {only} establishes restriction, meaning that obligatory Zakah is limited to these recipients. Allah concludes the verse with the words {an obligation from Allah} to show that this division is an Islamic ruling, not merely a social proposal or human judgment.
This article introduces the recipients of Zakah and their general guidelines. To learn which types of wealth are subject to Zakah and the conditions of nisab and hawl, review Introduction to Zakah and Zakat on Wealth: Nisab, Hawl, and Calculation.
The subject here is the recipients of Zakah on wealth. Zakat al-Fitr has its own rulings, and the stronger view is that it is given to the poor and needy because it was prescribed to provide them with food and support on the day of Eid.
A good intention alone does not make an act of worship valid if Zakah is placed somewhere it does not belong. Someone who gives Zakah to a project outside the eight categories, or to a person known to be ineligible, has not discharged the obligation merely because the intention was good.
When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent Muadh, may Allah be pleased with him, to Yemen, he said:
"إِنَّكَ تَأْتِي قَوْمًا أَهْلَ كِتَابٍ، فَادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَإِيَّاكَ وَكَرَائِمَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، وَاتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ المَظْلُومِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ اللَّهِ حِجَابٌ".
Meaning: "You are going to a people from the People of the Book. Invite them to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they obey you in that, inform them that Allah has obligated five prayers upon them in every day and night. If they obey you in that, inform them that Allah has obligated a charity upon them that is taken from their wealthy and returned to their poor. If they obey you in that, beware of taking the best of their wealth, and fear the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah."
Agreed upon.
A person paying Zakah must therefore investigate eligibility to the best of his or her ability or appoint a trustworthy organization that understands the rulings of Zakah and the circumstances of recipients.
The Poor
A poor person is someone who does not possess enough for basic needs or possesses only a small portion of what is needed. The recognized level of sufficiency includes the person's needs and the needs of dependents for food, clothing, housing, medical care, and other customary necessities, without extravagance or luxury.
A poor person does not have to be completely destitute or own nothing. The person may own a home in which to live, a needed vehicle, or receive an income insufficient for basic needs and still remain eligible for Zakah.
In general, a poor person may be given enough for personal and family needs for an entire year according to the circumstances and customary needs. If the person can be moved from need to sufficiency through a permissible project suited to the person's ability and experience, assistance may be provided under trustworthy supervision, provided the wealth is not exposed to loss and the person is not forced into a project he or she cannot manage.
The Needy
A needy person possesses some means, but what is available does not fully meet the need. According to the majority of scholars, the poor person is in greater need than the needy person, but both belong to the categories of people in need who may receive Zakah.
Someone whose income covers only part of necessary expenses may receive enough Zakah to fill the shortfall. What matters is actual sufficiency, not merely having a job or salary, nor outward appearance alone.
Among the evidence regulating requests according to need is the hadith of Qabisah ibn Mukhariq, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
"تَحَمَّلْتُ حَمَالَةً، فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَسْأَلُهُ فِيهَا، فَقَالَ: أَقِمْ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَنَا الصَّدَقَةُ فَنَأْمُرَ لَكَ بِهَا. قَالَ: ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا قَبِيصَةُ، إِنَّ المَسْأَلَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَحَدِ ثَلَاثَةٍ: رَجُلٍ تَحَمَّلَ حَمَالَةً فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ المَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَهَا ثُمَّ يُمْسِكُ، وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ جَائِحَةٌ اجْتَاحَتْ مَالَهُ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ المَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - أَوْ قَالَ: سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ فَاقَةٌ حَتَّى يَقُومَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْ ذَوِي الحِجَا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ: لَقَدْ أَصَابَتْ فُلَانًا فَاقَةٌ، فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ المَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - أَوْ قَالَ: سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - فَمَا سِوَاهُنَّ مِنَ المَسْأَلَةِ يَا قَبِيصَةُ سُحْتًا، يَأْكُلُهَا صَاحِبُهَا سُحْتًا".
Meaning: "I incurred a financial liability for reconciliation, so I came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, to ask him for help with it. He said, 'Remain until charity comes to us, and we will order that something be given to you from it.' Then he said, 'O Qabisah, asking is not lawful except for one of three: a man who has incurred a financial liability for reconciliation, for whom asking is lawful until he obtains it and then stops; a man whose wealth has been destroyed by a calamity, for whom asking is lawful until he obtains enough to sustain his livelihood; and a man afflicted by poverty, when three people of sound judgment from his community testify that poverty has afflicted him, for whom asking is lawful until he obtains enough to sustain his livelihood. Any asking beyond these, O Qabisah, is unlawful gain consumed unlawfully by its recipient.'"
Reported by Muslim.
The hadith does not mean that every poor person must have three witnesses. This condition concerned someone who claimed poverty after previously being known for wealth. When a person's need is known through clear indications or reliable verification, the apparent circumstances are acted upon.
Those Employed to Administer Zakah
Those employed to administer Zakah are people commissioned by the responsible authority to collect, safeguard, record, transport, and distribute it to eligible recipients. They may receive from Zakah for their work even when wealthy, within a fair wage and according to the work performed.
Not every employee of a charity becomes an administrator of Zakah merely because the organization collects donations. Nor may a person collect people's Zakah and then deduct personal compensation without a recognized appointment and clear agreement. It is safer for organizations to fund administrative expenses through separate resources except for what is established under Islamic law as belonging to the share of Zakah administrators.
Those Whose Hearts Are Being Reconciled
Those whose hearts are being reconciled are people for whom giving is expected to achieve a clear Islamic benefit, such as hoping for their acceptance of Islam, strengthening the faith of someone new to Islam, increasing their benefit to Muslims, or preventing a recognized harm from them.
This share remains applicable when its cause exists, but it is not a category for courtesy payments, purchasing personal loyalties, or supporting public figures. Assessing the benefit belongs to qualified scholars and the lawful authority who understand people's circumstances and the consequences of giving, not merely to unrestricted individual assumptions.
For Those in Bondage
This category includes assisting a contracted slave who has agreed to purchase freedom and purchasing and freeing a Muslim slave. According to a group of scholars, it also includes ransoming a Muslim captive when the ruling is established and the benefit is properly regulated.
Because contemporary cases involving captivity, human trafficking, and ransom may involve security and legal issues together with risks of fraud, Zakah should not be given in such cases to unknown individuals or organizations. Qualified scholars and trustworthy specialist bodies should be consulted.
Those in Debt
Those in debt are of two types:
- Someone who borrowed for personal needs or the needs of dependents in a permissible matter and then became unable to repay. Such a person may receive enough Zakah to cover the debt that cannot be repaid.
- Someone who incurred a financial liability to reconcile people, such as paying or guaranteeing money to stop a dispute or conflict. This person may receive the amount incurred for reconciliation even if wealthy, as encouragement for this important work.
For a person indebted for personal needs, the debt must be established, the person must be unable to pay it from wealth beyond essential needs, and the debt must not be fabricated or used as a device to obtain Zakah. If the debt arose through sin, assistance is not given until the person sincerely repents and abandons the prohibited cause, after which the need and debt are considered.
Zakah may be given to the debtor to repay the debt. If there is a fear that it will be spent elsewhere, it may be paid directly to the creditor after verifying the debt and coordinating with the debtor in a manner that preserves the debtor's right and dignity and prevents dispute.
In the Cause of Allah
According to the majority of scholars, the Zakah category "in the cause of Allah" refers to properly regulated Islamic jihad and what its participants require. The expression is not a general category containing every religious or charitable project merely because it is beneficial or intended for Allah's sake.
The affairs of jihad and equipping its participants belong to the governing authority and responsible Islamic bodies, not to individuals or unknown groups. Zakah may not be used to fund armed groups, unknown operations, or individual initiatives that expose lives and wealth to turmoil and loss.
Constructing mosques and schools, printing copies of the Quran, digging wells, repairing roads, and establishing public centers are greatly beneficial works, but according to the stronger view they do not belong to this category. They are funded through voluntary charity, endowments, and general donations, while Zakah remains within its designated recipients.
The Stranded Traveler
The stranded traveler is someone whose travel funds have run out or who cannot access personal wealth. The traveler may receive enough Zakah to reach home or a permissible destination even if wealthy in the home country.
The ruling depends upon the traveler's condition while stranded. If personal wealth can easily be accessed through a transfer or another safe means, Zakah is not needed. The traveler receives what is needed for the journey and no more.
Question and AnswerMay Someone Who Owns a Home or Vehicle Receive Zakah?
Yes, when the home or vehicle is among the person's essential needs and the person's income and wealth are insufficient for necessary expenses. Owning an asset that is genuinely needed does not necessarily make someone wealthy; actual sufficiency is what matters.
Question and AnswerMay an Employed Person Receive Zakah?
Yes, when the salary is insufficient for customary essential expenses and the expenses of dependents. The person may receive enough to cover the shortfall. Someone whose salary is sufficient does not receive from the share for the poor and needy.
Question and AnswerMay Zakah Be Used for Medical Treatment or Rent?
A poor person may be given what is needed for necessary medical treatment or suitable housing. As a basic rule, the Zakah money is transferred into the recipient's ownership. When need and benefit call for it, the treatment cost or rent may be paid to the relevant provider with the recipient's knowledge or permission, especially when there is concern that the money may be lost or the recipient cannot complete the procedure.
Question and AnswerMay Zakah Be Used to Pay the Debt of Someone in Need?
Yes, if the debt is established, arose from a permissible matter, and the debtor is unable to repay it. The money may be given to the debtor or paid to the creditor after verification and coordination with the debtor. A debt may not be fabricated or inflated, and a debtor may not be assisted in continuing a prohibited transaction.
Question and AnswerMay a Creditor Cancel a Debt and Count It as Zakah?
According to the stronger view, it is not sufficient for a creditor to cancel a debt owed by a poor person and then count it as Zakah. Zakah requires giving and transferring ownership, and the creditor benefits by clearing a difficult-to-collect asset. The safer course is to pay Zakah properly to an eligible recipient without requiring that it be returned as repayment of the debt.
Question and AnswerMay the Debt of a Deceased Person Be Paid from Zakah?
If the deceased left wealth, the debt must be paid from the estate before the inheritance is divided, and the obligation is not transferred to Zakah. If no wealth was left, scholars have differed over paying the debt from the share for those in debt. A group of verifying scholars permitted it because it falls within the general category of those in debt, while others prohibited it because a deceased person cannot take ownership of Zakah. The debt and absence of an estate must therefore first be verified, after which the particular case should be referred to a trustworthy scholar or recognized Zakah organization.
Question and AnswerMay Zakah on Wealth Be Given as Food or Goods?
When the obligatory Zakah is cash, the basic rule is that it is paid to the eligible recipient as money that becomes the recipient's property and may be used according to personal needs. The payer should not independently convert it into food baskets or goods merely because that appears more beneficial. If the recipient asks the payer or organization to buy specific food or medicine, this is an agency arrangement on the recipient's behalf. Zakah on crops, fruits, livestock, and other assets has its own rulings. When a person cannot manage money or the circumstances require a special arrangement, a trustworthy scholar or properly regulated Zakah organization should be consulted before converting the payment into goods.
Question and AnswerMay Zakah Be Spent on Building Mosques and Digging Wells?
According to the stronger view, no. These works do not fall within the eight categories, and the expression "in the cause of Allah" is not a label for every righteous cause in the subject of Zakah. Mosques, wells, copies of the Quran, and schools may be supported through voluntary charity and endowments.
Question and AnswerMust the Poor Person Be Told That the Money Is Zakah?
Not when the person is eligible and disclosure would cause embarrassment. It is sufficient for the payer to intend Zakah and confirm eligibility. The payer may not lie if the recipient asks about the nature of the money.
Question and AnswerMay Zakah Help a Poor Person Marry?
A poor person may be assisted with marriage when it is needed and the person cannot afford customary expenses. The amount should meet the need without extravagance or excessive costs.
Question and AnswerMay All of One's Zakah Be Given to One Person?
Yes, if the person is eligible and the need reaches that amount, provided the recipient is not given more than what removes eligibility without a valid Islamic reason. Distributing it among several people may be preferable when the need is widespread.
Question and AnswerWhat If Zakah Was Given to Someone Later Discovered to Be Wealthy?
If the payer investigated and exercised due care, and apparent signs or trustworthy testimony indicated that the person was eligible, the Zakah is sufficient according to the stronger view even if the person is later discovered to be wealthy. If the payer did not investigate or gave it to someone known to be ineligible, the obligation has not been discharged. If the mistake concerned another recipient category or the circumstances remain unclear, the details should be presented to a trustworthy scholar.
Question and AnswerWhere Can I Find More Questions About Zakah and Charity?
For more frequently asked questions, review Questions and Answers About Zakah and Charity.
