Fiqh-us Sunnah Section 46. The Recipients of Zakah

Section : Debtors. People burdened by debts and unable to pay them are of several kinds: those who took upon themselves responsibility to discharge a debt; those who guaranteed debts of others and therefore, upon default, the debts have become…

Section : Sadaqah for the Cause of Allah. Fee sabil lillah means for the sake of Allah–that is, making use of knowledge and deeds to attain Allah’s pleasure. Most scholars understood this phrase as fighting for the cause of Allah.…

Section : Sadaqah for the Wayfarer. Scholars agree that a traveller stranded in a foreign land should be given zakah if he lacks the means to achieve his objectives. The extension of zakah is, however, tied to the condition that…

Section : Who Has Priority in the distribution of zakah. The distribution of zakah to those who are eligible, as mentioned in the ‘ayah from at-Taubah, can now be classified as under: The poor (fuqdra’); the needy (rnasakm); the administrators…

Section : Why the Scholars Differ. According to Ibn Rushd: “The cause of their differences lies between the literal and the intended meaning. The literal meaning determines the classifications, but the intended meaning shows that priority should be given to…

Section : The Preference of the Majority Opinion Over That of ash-Shaf’i. The author of ar-Rawdah an-Nadiyyah says: “Distributing all of the zakah to one group is more benefiting to the realization of the word of Allah.” In brief, one…

Section : People Forbidden for Zakah. We have discussed so far the distribution of zakah and the categories of people eligible to receive it. Now we will talk about those who are forbidden to receive it. They are:

Section : Unbelievers and Atheists. The jurists agree that unbelievers and atheists are not to be given zakah. In the hadith which says: “Zakah is taken from the rich and given back to the poor,” “the rich” refers to rich…

Section : Banu Hashim. This includes the families of ‘Ali, Ja’far, al’Abbas, and al-Harith. Ibn Qudamah says there are no two opinions on the ineligibility of Banu Hashim to receive zakah. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, declared: “Indeed, sadaqah…

Section : Fathers and Sons. The jurists agree that it is not permissible to give zakah to one’s father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, son, grandson, daughter, and her children because the zakah payer is obligated to take care of all such…

Section : The Wife. Ibn al-Munzhir says that all scholars agree that a man is not obligated to give his wife zakah, the reason being that adequate support for her is already enjoined upon him, unless she is in debt.…

Section : The Distribution of Zakah in Order to Grow Nearer to Allah. It is not permissible to distribute zakah so as to grow nearer to Allah other than what Allah, the Exalted One, mentions in the ‘ayah: “The alms…

Section : Who Distributes Zakah?. The Messenger of Allah used to send his authorized agents to collect zakah. He would then distribute it among the deserving people. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar did the same. There is no difference between unhidden…

Section : Paying Zakah to the Leader, Regardless of His Being Just or Unjust. It is permissible to pay zakah to a Muslim leader, whether he is just or not, provided he rules (more or less) according to Islamic laws.…

Section : The Preferability of Giving Zakah to Good People. Zakah is given to a Muslim provided he is eligible to receive it. Whether he is good or sinful does not matter. If, however, it is known that he will…