Is It Permissible to Give Zakāt to a Righteous Female Student? Complete Sharʿī Explanation
Reference: Ahkam wa Masail, Zakāt Issues, Vol. 1, Page 274
❖ Background of the Question:
A girl is studying medicine. Her father is unemployed. For her admission, the family sold their personal house to pay the fees. Now, she resides with her mother and siblings in her maternal grandfather’s house.
She is religious, knowledgeable in Islam, observes proper ḥijāb, covers her face, studies the Qur’an, teaches it, and actively participates in Islamic activities. Though she studies in a co-educational institution, she maintains modesty. If she becomes a doctor, she is expected to serve as a righteous believing doctor — unlike non-Muslim doctors who do not fulfill this responsibility.
The question is: Can zakāt be given to such a girl?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
If the situation described in the question is true and reflects the actual condition, then it is Sharʿīly permissible to spend zakāt and ṣadaqah on this girl.
◈ Qur’anic Evidence
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡهَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةٗ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ﴾
(at-Tawbah: 60)
Meaning:
“Zakāt expenditures are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, to free slaves, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler — an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
◈ Supplication
May Allah remove all kinds of hardships from this family and from every Muslim.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb.
