Now that we
understand zakah, and its various conditions and calculation, we must now learn
who it is payable to. Those who are entitled to receive zakah are grouped into
eight categories, as determined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah says, "Sadaqat
are only for the poor who do not beg and the poor who beg and those employed to
collect them, and for attracting the hearts (of those who have been inclined
towards Islam), and to free the captives and for those in debt and for Allah's
Cause, and for the wayfarer a due imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower,
All-Wise." [9:60]
The Fuqaraa
(the poor who do not beg)
These may have
money, but it is not sufficient for their basic needs. Others have stated that
these people have nothing. Allah says, 'If they are Fuqaraa (poor), Allah will
enrich them out of His Bounty.' (24:32)
The
Masaakeen (the poor who beg)
These people do
not have anything, so they are in need of asking others for food and clothing.
Such have the rights to ask and receive Zakaat. Others hold that these are those
who may have some of their basic needs. Allah says, 'But he has made no effort
to pass on the path that is steep. And what will make you know the path that is
steep? (It is) freeing a neck (slave). Or giving food in a day of hunger to an
orphan near of kin. Or to a miskeen afflicted with misery.' (90:11-16)
Attracting
Hearts
Zakaat is also
to be paid to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam
or to prevent the harm of non-Muslims residing within the Muslim state. Scholars
have agreed that this type of Zakaat should be considered whenever there is a
need for it. We often see people who embrace Islam become detached from their
families and are sometimes deprived of a source of income. These people have the
right to receive Zakaat to protect themselves from harm and to make their faith
firm.
Freeing
Captives
This shows that
Zakaat can be paid in order to buy a slave and then free him or her. These
slaves become free, capable of worshipping Allah, and then become useful members
within the community.
Wayfarer
The
wayfarer is the traveler stranded in a foreign land and is in need of
money to achieve his objective or to return to his own country. This
person can receive Zakaat, if the purpose for traveling is lawful. If the
purpose were unlawful, then he should not receive any moneys from Zakaat
because it would help him in his sins. Allah Ta'ala warns us, 'Help one
another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and
transgression.' (5:2)
The
Debtors
Debtors
are those people burdened by debts because of personal needs or social
necessity, such as the person who borrows to spend on himself and his
family. This person is given Zakaat if he doesn't have enough money beyond
his basic needs to repay his debt. However, for the one who borrows money
for a social necessity, such as spending on an orphan, reconciling between
Muslims, or renovating a Masjid or school, then he may be given Zakaat to
repay his debt. This holds true even if he is wealthy according to the
sound opinion of the jurists.
Allah's
Cause
Jurists
have differed in the meaning of this outlet for Zakaat. Some have limited
it to the fighters in the path of Allah, even if they were wealthy, if
they do not receive wages from the Islamic treasury. Others say that this
also includes all acts that make one closer to Allah. Therefore, anyone
that strives in the obedience of Allah and performs good deserves Zakaat.
The opinion that 'Allah's Cause' is limited to voluntary mujahids that do
not receive wages from the Islamic treasury, seems most correct. If the
meaning were inclusive of all good deeds, the prophet would have explained
that. The Khulafaa al-Raashidoon (rightly guided Caliphs) collected
tremendous amounts of Zakaat, but nothing has been transmitted about
spending the Zakaat on other paths of good. Moreover, Allah Ta'ala has
specified the eight recipients of Zakaat and none of them include other
than what is stated. Any outlet other than these should receive support
from the Islamic treasury, but not from Zakaat.
Zakaat
Collectors
These are
persons that the authority employs to collect the Zakaat. The authority
gives them a fee for their work, which includes, collecting, recording,
guarding, dividing and distributing the Zakaat.
ZAKAAT
IS NOT DUE TO:
THE
WEALTHY
Jurists
have agreed that no wealthy person should be given from the share of the
fuqaraa and the masakeen. They held that giving to the rich from their
share meant depriving them from the zakah that they rightly deserve, and
that defeats the purpose of its obligation which is to satisfy the needs
of the poor. Other outlets of zakah may be given to the wealthy and this
includes those employed to collect the zakah, attracting their hearts
towards Islam, fighters in the path of Allah, and the wayfarers.
THE
STRONG & HEALTHY
Jurists
have agreed that zakah is forbidden to anyone capable of working and
earning a living unless he cannot find a job or he finds a job but the
money received is insufficient for him and his family. Then he can be
assisted from zakah with the amount for his needs, or that enables him to
work. The reason behind this prohibition is that these people are
commanded by the Shar'iah to work and support themselves. They are not to
lie back and depend on others.
THE
DISBELIEVER
Jurists
agree that it is forbidden to spend zakah on the unbelievers for this will
constitute supporting them and their disbelief. The obligation of spending
the zakah is on poor and needy Muslims. This means that it should not be
spent on the disbelieving poor and needy. Furthermore, the apparent wisdom
in zakah is to satisfy the needs of poor Muslims and establish bridges of
love and brotherhood among the members of the Muslim community.
FATHERS,
SONS & WIVES
Jurists
agree that it is not permissible to give zakah to one's wife, father,
grandfather, mother, grandmother, son, grandson, and the daughter or her
children. This is because if one pays zakah to them then he has not
fulfilled his financial obligations towards them. This is equated to
giving the zakah to himself. However, giving zakah to other relatives is
permissible (brothers, sisters and others) when there is no obligation to
take care of them. This is even better because one receives the rewards of
sadaqah and of keeping good relations with relatives.
THE
FAMILY OF THE PROPHET sallallaahu alayhi wasallam
The
family of the Prophet did not receive zakah because they took their share
from the booty gained from war. However, if they did not receive a share
from the booty, can they be given zakah? Some jurists state that it is
permissible whereas others say that it is not permissible. The family or
descendants of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, are the Banu
Hashim and Banu Abdul-Muttalib, while others feel that they are only the
Banu Hashim.
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