Who does qualify to receive Zakat?

He has raised some of you in ranks above others that He may try you in the gifts He has given you.” (Quran 6:165)

Zakat has both humanitarian and socio-political value.  It is designed by our Creator to redistribute wealth and encourage social responsibility.  When Zakat is collected and distributed correctly it minimises the needs of citizens to such an extent that there may be no poor or needy within the Muslim community.   It has been reported and documented that at certain times in Islamic history no person, of any religion, who lived in the Islamic Empire qualified to receive Zakat.  There was enough money and wealth circulating to ensure a fair standard of living for everybody.

 So who does qualify to receive Zakat? God has ordained that the Zakat be distributed to certain categories of people.

“The alms are only for the poor, and the needy and those employed to collect the funds; and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam; and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for those struggling for the cause of God, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by God.” (Quran 9:60)

God mentions eight (8) categories of people.

1.      The poor - those who can meet basic needs but have neither wealth or secure livelihood.

2.      The needy – the extremely poor who cannot meet even basic needs.

3.      Those persons who are appointed to collect Zakat; (regardless of personal wealth).

4.      Those who have recently converted or are considering converting to Islam.

5.      Zakat may be used to purchase the freedom of slaves.

6.      A person whose debts exceed his assets.

7.      Those who are away from home working in the path of God.

8.      A traveller, who is stranded and in need of financial assistance.

If a person has enough wealth to be a contributor he is not able to be a recipient.  Zakat may be distributed directly to individuals, or it may be entrusted to an Islamic welfare organisation or association, to be distributed at their discretion to those who are deserving.

A contributor should not seek fame or praise for carrying out what is an Islamic duty.  In fact he should give the Zakat as covertly as possible so as not to become proud or arrogant, thus nullifying his good deed.  Under certain circumstances however, the disclosure of contributions may encourage others to be generous.

Islam is a religion that encourages generosity and Zakat is just one way of encouraging  this in our everyday lives.  One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, wealth therefore is only for our benefit to use for our needs and to distribute.  In terms of the way we look at the world in the 21st century Zakat could be considered a permissible form of insurance.  One who pays or receives the Zakat in a permissible and honourable way will gain many benefits including God’s pleasure, forgiveness and blessings.  In the traditions of Prophet Muhammad we are reminded that giving charity stands in the way of calamity[1].

“The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is that of a grain of corn.  It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains.  God increases manifold to whom He pleases.” (Quran 2:261)

Footnotes:

[1] At Tirmidhi