مصارف الزكاة
Who to give zakat to
The eight categories of verse 60 of Surat al-Tawba, and those it is not given to.
The eight categories
Zakat is given only to the categories named in the Quran (Quran 9:60), and to no other cause (mosques, roads), according to the four schools. A single category is enough (Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools).
| Category | Who |
|---|---|
| The poor (al-fuqara’) | Those who have nothing or almost nothing, less than half of their needs |
| The needy (al-masakin) | Those who meet part of their needs but not all of them; they are given enough to live on for a year (Malikis, Hanbalis, Ibn Baz) |
| Those who collect it (al-‘amiluna ‘alayha) | The agents in charge of zakat, today the mandated institutions (Fiqh Academy, resolution 165), paid for their work |
| Those whose hearts are to be won (al-mu’allafa qulubuhum) | The new Muslim, or someone whose Islam is hoped for or whose harm is averted; this share remains (Shafi‘is, Hanbalis, resolution 165) |
| Freeing slaves (fi al-riqab) | Freeing slaves and, according to Ahmad, Ibn Baz and resolution 165, ransoming Muslim prisoners |
| Those in debt (al-gharimun) | Someone who cannot pay a lawful debt, and someone who went into debt to reconcile people |
| In the way of God (fi sabil Allah) | According to the four schools, those who fight in the way of God; some contemporary scholars extend it to other causes (difference of opinion) |
| The traveller (ibn al-sabil) | Someone who runs out of money far from home, even if wealthy at home |
References Quran 9:60 · International Islamic Fiqh Academy, resolution 165 (3/18), 2007 · Majmu‘ Fatawa Ibn Baz 14/14-16
Who it is not given to
- Your ascendants and descendants (parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren) and your wife, whom you support (agreement of the scholars). According to Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn ‘Uthaymin, you may help poor parents you cannot manage to support, or pay their debts.
- The rich, and anyone who earns enough to be self-sufficient, except as a zakat agent, someone in debt for reconciling people, or a traveller.
- The family of the Prophet ﷺ (Banu Hashim).
- A non-Muslim, except under the heading of hearts to be won.
A wife may give her zakat to her poor husband (hadith of Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas‘ud). Other poor relatives (brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts) may receive it, with a double reward: charity and family ties.
References Bukhari 1466 and Muslim 1000 (Zaynab) · al-Tirmidhi 658 (double reward) · Muslim 1072 (the family of the Prophet) · Abu Dawud 1633 (nothing for the rich nor for one able to earn a living)
In practice
- Zakat is the right of the poor: it is handed over as property to the recipient (or to an institution that distributes it), without asking for it back.
- You do not have to tell them it is zakat if they are known to be poor (Malikis, Hanbalis, Permanent Committee).
- If you gave it to the wrong person after checking, the zakat remains valid (Hanafi school, Ibn Baz, Ibn ‘Uthaymin).
- The poor of your own country come first; sending it elsewhere is allowed for a need or a benefit (Hanafi and Maliki schools, Ibn Baz).
References Majmu‘ Fatawa Ibn Baz 14/243 and 14/268 · al-Sharh al-Mumti‘ 6/265
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my zakat to my parents?
Not if you support them: zakat is not given to your ascendants, descendants or wife (agreement of the scholars). According to Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn ‘Uthaymin, it is allowed for poor parents you cannot manage to support.
Can I give my zakat to my brother or sister?
Yes, if they are poor and you do not support them: the reward is double, charity and family ties.
Can a woman give her zakat to her husband?
Yes, if he is poor, according to the hadith of Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas‘ud (Bukhari 1466).
Can zakat be given to build a mosque?
No, according to the four schools: zakat goes only to the eight categories of verse 60 of Surat al-Tawba.
A calculation aid, not a religious ruling. If in doubt, ask a qualified person.