Can Zakat Be Given to Weak Believers? A Complete Explanation
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Can zakat be given to someone with weak faith in order to strengthen his belief, even if he is not a leader of his people?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding this issue.
However, in my view, the stronger and more correct opinion is that zakat may be given to a person of weak faith, even if he is not a chief or leader of his tribe, with the aim of drawing his heart closer to Islam and strengthening his faith.
✔ Allah ﷻ has included "المؤلفة قلوبهم" (those whose hearts are to be reconciled) among the eligible recipients of zakat in the verse:
﴿إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ... وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ...﴾
(Surah At-Tawbah: 60)
“Zakat is only for the poor... and those whose hearts are to be reconciled...”
➋ Just as we give zakat to the poor to fulfill their physical needs, it is likewise permissible to give zakat to someone with spiritual need, i.e., weakness in faith, so that their faith may be strengthened.
➌ This is because the strength of faith in a believer’s life is of greater importance than physical nourishment.
Yes, zakat can be given to a weak believer—even if he is not a tribal leader—to strengthen his attachment to Islam, based on the principle of المؤلفة قلوبهم outlined in the Qur’an.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Question:
Can zakat be given to someone with weak faith in order to strengthen his belief, even if he is not a leader of his people?
❀ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding this issue.
However, in my view, the stronger and more correct opinion is that zakat may be given to a person of weak faith, even if he is not a chief or leader of his tribe, with the aim of drawing his heart closer to Islam and strengthening his faith.
❖ Basis for This Ruling:
✔ Allah ﷻ has included "المؤلفة قلوبهم" (those whose hearts are to be reconciled) among the eligible recipients of zakat in the verse:
﴿إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ... وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ...﴾
(Surah At-Tawbah: 60)
“Zakat is only for the poor... and those whose hearts are to be reconciled...”
➋ Just as we give zakat to the poor to fulfill their physical needs, it is likewise permissible to give zakat to someone with spiritual need, i.e., weakness in faith, so that their faith may be strengthened.
➌ This is because the strength of faith in a believer’s life is of greater importance than physical nourishment.
❖ Conclusion:
Yes, zakat can be given to a weak believer—even if he is not a tribal leader—to strengthen his attachment to Islam, based on the principle of المؤلفة قلوبهم outlined in the Qur’an.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
