Who Can Receive Zakat? The Eight Categories

The eight categories

1. The poor (al-fuqara’): those who have little or nothing to meet their basic needs.
2. The needy (al-masakin): those who have something, but not enough for their needs.
3. Zakat workers (al-‘amilin ‘alayha): those appointed to collect and distribute it.
4. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-mu’allafah qulubuhum): new Muslims or others whose support benefits the community.
5. Freeing captives (fir-riqab): originally slaves; today many scholars apply it to freeing prisoners unjustly held.
6. Those in debt (al-gharimin): people unable to pay debts taken for lawful needs.
7. In the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah): according to most schools, those striving in the path of Allah; some contemporary scholars include Islamic education and da‘wah.
8. The stranded traveller (ibn as-sabil): a traveller cut off from his money, even if wealthy at home.

Who may not receive zakat

• One’s own ascendants and descendants (parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren) and one’s spouse, whom one must support.
• The wealthy, and those able to earn a sufficient living.
• Non-Muslims, according to the majority (except as those whose hearts are to be reconciled).
• The family of the Prophet ﷺ (Banu Hashim), according to the majority.

Practical advice

Give priority to needy relatives who are not your dependants (siblings, uncles, cousins): the reward is double, for charity and for family ties. Zakat may be given directly or through a trustworthy organisation; it is best given locally unless the need is greater elsewhere.

Zakat, sadaqah and zakat al-fitr

Zakat is obligatory, fixed at 2.5% of savings and limited to the eight categories. Sadaqah is voluntary, can be given at any time, in any amount, to any person in need, Muslim or not, and to projects such as wells, schools and mosques. Zakat al-fitr is a fixed amount of food per person, due before the Eid prayer and given to the poor.

Giving discreetly is better, unless showing it encourages others: “If you disclose your charities, it is good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you” (2:271).

In brief

• Zakat goes only to the eight categories of Qur’an 9:60.
• The poor and the needy come first.
• It is not given to one’s parents, children or spouse.
• It is normally given locally, but may be sent where the need is greater.
• Giving to poor relatives brings a double reward.

A closing note

Naming the recipients in the Qur’an protects zakat from personal preference and ensures it reaches those who deserve it. If a giver makes a genuine effort and later learns that the recipient was not eligible, many scholars hold that his zakat is still valid.

Read next

• Zakat Explained: Who Pays, How Much and On WhatA clear guide to zakat: who must pay it, the nisab and the lunar year, the 2.5% rate, which assets count, and zakat on gold, savings, shares and business.