Zakaat (Part 2: Who is eligible to receive it, and who should not be given)

Thanks for your lovely e-mails and messages on my previous post. Interestingly, most of them are on my e-mail, a couple of facebook and just one as a comment here! :-)

Basis your messages, thought it would be apt for me to also write about the people who are eligible to receive Zakaat, and the people who should not be given Zakaat.

According to the Qur’an, eight categories of people are eligible to receive Zakaat.

Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. (Qur’an 9:60; Translation by Yusuf Ali)

Let me describe these further:

The Poor: The Arabic word used in the Qur’an is Fuqara’a. This refers to people who earn or have the means to sustain their bare existence, but their wealth is below the value of the amount that makes it necessary for them to give Zakaat.

The Needy: Referred to in the Qur’an as Masakeen. This refers to people who are extremely poor and have no wealth at all – not even to sustain their basic necessities.

Those employed to administer funds: (Arabic – Aa’mileen). In Islamic countries, there are people employed by the Government to collect Zakaat. Even in India and many other countries, there are groups of people who collect Zakaat and distribute it among the needy. They may themselves be wealthy, but are collecting Zakaat for / on behalf of others. It is eligible to give Zakaat to these people.

Those whose hearts have been recently reconciled: (Arabic - Mu-allafatul Quloob). These are deserving people who have recently embraced Islam. Zakaat can be given to them as it would help reconcile their hearts further towards Islam.

Those in bondage or slavery: (Arabic – Al-Riqaab). It is encouraged to give Zakaat to those who are held in slavery, in order to free them.

Those in debt: (Arabic – Gharimeen). Self-explanatory. Giving Zakaat to someone who is in debt in order to help remove his burden is encouraged. Of course, it is important that the debt is not due to any un-Islamic reason.

Those travelling in the way of Allah: (Arabic – Fee-sabeel-Illah). Those who are travelling in the path of Allah, spreading his word or working for Islam. Islamic Missionaries would come under this definition.

Travellers: (Arabic – Ibnis-sabeel). A traveller who is stranded and in need of financial assistance. This person may otherwise be wealthy, but that does not disqualify him, as he is needy at the present juncture.

Among these too, it is encouraged to first give Zakaat to your near relatives, as they are most deserving of your Zakaat. These relatives include siblings, their children, uncle, aunt, step-grandfather, step-grandmother, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents." (Bukhari: Book 2, Volume 24, Hadith 507)

Then, your poor neighbours are deserving of your Zakaat. In fact, the rights of neighbours in Islam are extremely strong.

'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Gabriel impressed upon me (kind treatment) towards the neighbour (so much) that I thought as if he would confer upon him the (right) of inheritance. (Muslim: Book 32, Hadith 6354)

At the same time, among the relatives, Zakaat cannot be given to parents, grandfather, etc., or to one's children and grandchildren. A husband and wife cannot give Zakat to each other.

Zakaat also cannot be given to an able bodied person who can take care of himself, but does not do so. This is also applicable for all forms of charity.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As:

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Sadaqah may not be given to a rich man or to one who has strength and is sound in limbs. (Dawud: Book 9, Hadith 1630)

The importance of working for one’s bread is mentioned in a separate Hadith.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "No doubt, it is better for a person to take a rope and proceed in the morning to the mountains and cut the wood and then sell it, and eat from this income and give alms from it than to ask others for something." (Bukhari: Book 2, Volume 24, Hadith 558)

And lastly, Zakaat cannot be given to descendents of Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Al-Hasan bin 'Ali took a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet said, "Expel it from your mouth. Don't you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?" (Bukhari: Book 2, Volume 24, Hadith 568)