Can Zakat Be Given to Mujahideen? A Complete Explanation
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Is it permissible to give zakat to Mujāhideen (those fighting in the path of Allah)?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ Allah Almighty has included “fighters in the path of Allah” (Mujāhideen fī sabīlillāh) among the eligible recipients of zakat, as mentioned in the verse of zakat.
Therefore, it is permissible to give zakat to Mujāhideen, provided they fulfill the criteria of being truly in the path of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ clarified this matter when he was asked:
One man fights out of bravery,
another out of tribal pride,
and another to gain reputation—
Who among them is truly fighting in the path of Allah?
The Prophet ﷺ responded with a clear and just standard:
«مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكُونَ كَلِمَةُ اللّٰهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا فَهُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād wa al-Siyar, Bāb: One Who Fights for the Supremacy of Allah's Word, Ḥadīth: 2810)
“Whoever fights so that the Word of Allah becomes supreme, then he is in the path of Allah.”
A person is considered a true Mujāhid fī sabīlillāh when:
✔ He fights with the intention to raise the Word of Allah.
✔ His objective is to establish the Shari‘ah of Allah.
✔ He aims to spread Allah’s religion in the lands of disbelief.
Such a person is a legitimate Mujāhid, and he is eligible to receive zakat.
Zakat can be given:
— Directly to the Mujāhid to support him in his struggle.
— To buy equipment, weapons, and supplies for him.
— To fund his needs during the campaign.
Conclusion:
A Mujāhid who fulfills the correct intention and purpose of jihad as described by the Prophet ﷺ is eligible for zakat under the category of ﴿فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ﴾.
Care must be taken to ensure the recipient truly meets these criteria.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Question:
Is it permissible to give zakat to Mujāhideen (those fighting in the path of Allah)?
❀ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ Allah Almighty has included “fighters in the path of Allah” (Mujāhideen fī sabīlillāh) among the eligible recipients of zakat, as mentioned in the verse of zakat.
Therefore, it is permissible to give zakat to Mujāhideen, provided they fulfill the criteria of being truly in the path of Allah.
❖ Who Is a True Mujāhid fī Sabīlillāh?
The Prophet ﷺ clarified this matter when he was asked:
One man fights out of bravery,
another out of tribal pride,
and another to gain reputation—
Who among them is truly fighting in the path of Allah?
The Prophet ﷺ responded with a clear and just standard:
«مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكُونَ كَلِمَةُ اللّٰهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا فَهُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād wa al-Siyar, Bāb: One Who Fights for the Supremacy of Allah's Word, Ḥadīth: 2810)
“Whoever fights so that the Word of Allah becomes supreme, then he is in the path of Allah.”
❖ Purpose of Fighting fī Sabīlillāh
A person is considered a true Mujāhid fī sabīlillāh when:
✔ He fights with the intention to raise the Word of Allah.
✔ His objective is to establish the Shari‘ah of Allah.
✔ He aims to spread Allah’s religion in the lands of disbelief.
Such a person is a legitimate Mujāhid, and he is eligible to receive zakat.
❖ Additional Forms of Assistance
Zakat can be given:— Directly to the Mujāhid to support him in his struggle.
— To buy equipment, weapons, and supplies for him.
— To fund his needs during the campaign.
Conclusion:
A Mujāhid who fulfills the correct intention and purpose of jihad as described by the Prophet ﷺ is eligible for zakat under the category of ﴿فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ﴾.
Care must be taken to ensure the recipient truly meets these criteria.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
