The channels of Zakaah

Allaah Almighty classifies the eligible recipients of Zakaah under
eight categories. He, Almighty Says (what means): "Zakaah expenditures
are only forthe poor and for the needy and for those employed to
collect [Zakaah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for
freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause
of Allaah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by
Allaah. And Allaah is Knowing and Wise." [Quran 9: 60]
The following is the list of the eight categories of eligible people
with a brief definition of each one:
1. The Poor:
The poor is a person who does not have sufficient wealth to fulfill
his needs and the needs of his dependents, such as food, drink,
clothing and housing. He may be considered poor (according to his
situation) even though he may possess the minimum amount required for
payment of Zakaah (i.e. Nisaab).
2. The Needy:
The needy (Miskeen) may be someone whose level of poverty is more than
the poor or less than him. However, their ruling isthe same in all
matters. These poor and needy can have decent houses and clothes and
yet be considered poor and needy if they do not possess their basic
essential needs. The Messenger ofAllaah defined the Miskeen in some
narrations as: "The Miskeenis not the one who goes around among the
people (begging) maybe receiving a morsel or two,and a date or two.
Rather, the Miskeen is the one who does not have enough wealth to
suffice him, however he does not let others know about it in order to
be given charity and he does not stand and beg people." [Al-Bukhaari]
3. The Zakaah employees (or those who are involved with its work):
Those are the Muslims who are employed to collect Zakaah, either
through persuasion or force – from those who are not willing to give
it. They are given their salaries from the Zakaah collection.
4. Reconciliation of hearts (Al-Mu'allafati Quloobuhom):
They are those new Muslims whose faith is weak and may sometimes have
a strong influence among their people. Thus, they are given from
Zakaah in order to appease their hearts, strengthen their faith and
make them attach wholeheartedly to Islam. This in hopes that
comprehensive benefit may be gained from them or their evil be
restrained.
Zakaah may also be given to non-Muslims in hopes that they may accept
Islam or that their people may become Muslims. Thus, such people are
given from Zakaah in order to encourage them to accept Islam and
endear it to them.
5. The slaves:
The intent of this category is thatthe Muslim who is a slave be
purchased from Zakaah (funds) and freed (solely for the sake of
pleasing Allaah). It also applies tothe Muslim who is an indentured
servant (i.e. he has a contract with his owner to be freed upon paying
a sum of money). Such a person may be given from Zakaahthat which will
help him fulfill the contract and thus become a freeman after that.
6. The indebted:
He is a person who owes a debt that he did not acquire through
disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger, sallallaaahu alayhi
wasallam, and it has become impossible for him to pay it off. Such a
person is given the amount which will allow him to pay off his debt
from Zakaah. Thisis due to the statement of the Prophet : "Begging is
not permissible, except for three: For the person who is extremely
poor, or the person who has severe debt, or the person who owes a
(debt of) blood (money)." [At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood] Ifone decides
to pay Zakaah due onhim in the form of repaying debtsfor someone, he
should inform him. Otherwise, it will not be considered as Zakaah.
Rather will count as charity, and he would still have to pay out the
Zakaah due on him.
7. In the way of Allaah:
This is paid for Jihaad (fighting) inorder to elevate the Word of
Allaah, the Most High, or anythingthat assists in it in any form.
Hence, the one who goes out to fight in the way of Allaah is given
(from Zakaah), even if he is wealthy. According to the opinion of
Imaam Ahmad this also applies to assisting a person who is too poor to
perform Hajj.
8. The wayfarer:
He is the traveler who spent all his money outside his hometownor city
during his travel. Therefore, he is given from Zakaah that which will
fulfill his needs as a stranger, even if he is a wealthy man in his
homeland. This is due to the poverty he is experiencing in his journey
and being cut off from his resources. This is the case when there is
no one who can give him a loan thatwill be of assistance to him in
fulfilling his needs. If there is someone who can give him a loan,
then he is obligated to take the loan and he is not given Zakaah as
long as he is considered a wealthy man in his own land (this is
according to theMaaliki school of jurisprudence). This only applies if
his travel is fora permissible cause (i.e. did not travel to commit a
sin).
General guidelines:
1. If a Muslim pays Zakaah of his wealth to any one of the eight
categories of (eligible) recipients, then that is sufficient. However,
he should give precedence to those recipients who are most important
and have a greater need.
2. Zakaah is not paid to those whom it is obligatory upon the Muslim
to spend on, like the parents, the children, and the wife, because it
is obligatory upon him to spend on them whenever they are in need.
3. Zakaah is not acceptable except with its intention. If a person
pays it without having theintention of paying the obligatoryZakaah, it
will not be considered Zakaah. This is due to the Prophet informing us
that deeds are judged by their intentions, and that every person will
get what he intended. [Al-Bukhaari]
Therefore, the one who pays it must do so with the intention of paying
his due Zakaah that is obligatory upon him to pay. He should also make
his intention topay it solely for the sake of Allaah, as sincere
intention is a condition for the acceptance of every act or worship.

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