Zakat Recipients According to the Qur'an and Sunnah
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori❖ Introduction
The rightful recipients (Masārif) of Zakat are eight, as clearly outlined in the Noble Qur'an. Allah ﷻ states:
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Surah al-Tawbah: 60(“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the stranded traveler — an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”)
◈ ➊ Al-Fuqarā' and Al-Masākīn (The Poor and the Needy)
Due to their similar conditions, these terms are often used interchangeably. However, scholars have offered various distinctions:
- Jumhūr and Shāfi‘ī (رحمه الله): A Masākīn has some wealth but insufficient, while a Faqīr has nothing at all — hence, Faqīr is in a worse condition.
- Ṭabarī (رحمه الله): A Faqīr is needy but does not ask, while a Masākīn begs for assistance.
- Abū Ḥanīfah (رحمه الله): The Masākīn is in greater hardship than the Faqīr.
- Mālik (رحمه الله): Both are the same in need.
References: Nayl al-Awṭār 3/118, Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī 14/308, Fatḥ al-Bārī 4/105, al-Umm 4/92, al-Majmūʿ 6/131, al-Mabsūṭ 3/8, Badā'iʿ al-Ṣanā’iʿ 2/45, al-Ikhtiyār 1/118, al-Inṣāf 3/217 Hadith:"المسكين الذى لا يجد غنى يكفيه ولا يـفـطـن لـه فيـتـصـدق عليه ولا يقوم فيسئال الناس"
(A Masākīn is one who lacks sufficient wealth, people don’t realize his need, so no one gives him charity, and he also doesn’t ask others.)
Bukhari: 1476, Muslim: 1039, Abu Dawud: 1631◈ ➋ Al-‘Āmilīn ʿAlayhā (Administrators of Zakat)
These are government-appointed officials responsible for collecting, managing, and distributing Zakat.
A narration from ʿAbdullah ibn Saʿd al-Mālikī:He was appointed by ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) to collect Zakat and was offered a wage upon completion. When he declined, saying he worked only for Allah, ʿUmar responded with the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
"إذا أعطيت شيئا من غير أن تسئال فكل و تصدق"
(If something is given to you without asking, then take it and give in charity if you wish.)
Bukhari: 7163, Muslim: 1045, Abu Dawud: 1647
Conclusion: It is permissible for Zakat collectors to accept compensation for their efforts.◈ ➌ Al-Mu'allafatu Qulūbuhum (Those Whose Hearts Are to Be Reconciled)
This includes:
- Non-Muslims inclined toward Islam.
- New Muslims who require support to strengthen their faith.
- Influential leaders whose cooperation could protect Muslims or promote Islam.
Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 2/365, Aḥsan al-Bayān p. 529, Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī 1/313, Fiqh al-Zakāh by Yūsuf al-Qarḍāwī 2/595- Shāfi‘ī (رحمه الله): Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims.
- Abū Ḥanīfah (رحمه الله): This category has ceased to apply.
- Aḥmad (رحمه الله): The ruling remains valid.
- Shawkānī (رحمه الله): Zakat may be spent for reconciliation when necessary.
Nayl al-Awṭār 3/128
Numerous narrations confirm that the Prophet ﷺ allocated Zakat for this cause.
Muslim: 2312, Bukhari: 923, Ahmad 5/69◈ ➍ Fī al-Riqāb (To Free Slaves)
This refers to freeing individuals from bondage using Zakat funds.
Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) stated:There is no harm in using Zakat for freeing slaves.
Bukhari (Muʿallaq): 4/92, Abū ʿUbayd: 1782- Ḥanafī & Shāfi‘ī: Only applies to contract-bound slaves (mukātib).
- Mālik, Aḥmad, Bukhārī: Includes all slaves, supported by Ibn ʿAbbās and favored by Shawkānī (رحمه الله).
Nayl al-Awṭār 3/129, al-Sayl al-Jarrār 2/58
◈ ➎ Al-Ghārimīn (Those in Debt)
Includes:
- Individuals in debt due to personal or family needs.
- Guarantors who became liable.
- Business losses leading to debt.
Such persons are eligible for Zakat aid.
Muslim: 1044, Abu Dawud: 1640, Ahmad: 5/60, Dārimī: 1/396, Ibn Abī Shaybah: 4/58◈ ➏ Fī Sabīlillāh (In the Cause of Allah)
Refers to:
- Fighters and warriors engaged in Jihad to uphold Islam.
Classical interpretations:- ʿUmar, Ibn ʿAbbās, Mālik, Abū Ḥanīfah, Shāfi‘ī, Aḥmad, Ibn Ḥazm, Ibn Qudāmah, al-Qurṭubī, al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, Abū ʿUbayd, and Yūsuf al-Qarḍāwī all restrict this to Jihad and fighters without state support.
Nayl al-Awṭār 3/131, Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī 8/185, al-Umm 2/61, Fiqh al-Zakāh 2/657
Jumhūr (majority) and Saudi Council of Senior Scholars maintain this view. Abḥāth Hay’at Kibār al-ʿUlamāʾ 1/61–97◈ ➐ Ibn al-Sabīl (Stranded Traveler)
A traveler, even if wealthy at home, becomes eligible for Zakat if he faces hardship during travel.
Nayl al-Awṭār 3/131–132, al-Sayl al-Jarrār 2/60, Fiqh al-Zakāh 2/670 Conclusion
The eight categories of Zakat recipients are clearly outlined in the Qur'an and further elaborated upon by Hadith and scholarly consensus. Understanding these helps ensure Zakat is distributed correctly and benefits those whom Allah has rightfully designated.
