Eight Kinds Of People To Whom Zakat Can Be Given

In the name of Allah the most beneficent the most merciful, Peace and blessings upon his beloved last Prophet(SAW)

Zakat is a form of charity that is given to the poor and the needy. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory on every Muslim who is financially stable. There are certain people that actually are eligible for Zakat.

The main objective of Zakat is to help society by giving something from your wealth. In return, the Muslims get tremendous rewards not only in this world but also in the hereafter. Zakat also purifies your wealth and possessions. Islam guides us to make this world a better place by helping others in need and that’s why it puts emphasis on charity, thus making clear the specific eight Kinds of people to whom Zakat can be given.

Q.9:60

إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

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.

Who are the people that are eligible for
Zakat? According to this verse, there are eight categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat:

1. Al-Fuqara (The poor)
Fuqara are the people who live below the poverty line and don’t have enough means to live a normal life like others. They deserve your zakat in order to meet the daily necessities of their lives.

2. Al-Masakin (The needy)
Masakin are extremely poor and needy people. These people don’t have any possessions or income. Your Zakat money can help them in improving their living conditions.

3. Zakat collectors
Zakat can be given to the people who are
authorized to collect and distribute it among the needy and poor. It includes trustworthy institutions and NGOs who are working to help underprivileged Muslim communities.

4. Who converted to Islam
Those who are newly converted to Islam are eligible to receive zakat (if they are needy). For example, if someone has converted and is detached from their family and friends, you can give your zakat to them so that they can start their new journey.

5. Freeing captives
Slavery is prohibited in many parts of the world but there are still some places where people are trafficked and kept as slaves. Your zakat money can help slaves in freeing themselves and improve their living standards.

6. Debtors
Zakat can be given to pay off debts of someone who cannot repay on his own. However, one must make sure that the money borrowed by a debtor is not used for any un-Islamic or wrong purpose.

7. In the path of Allah
Those who are striving in the path of Allah aree entitled to receive your zakat. These are the people who are fighting for Allah’s cause, far away from their homes. Your zakat can help them have a better living.

8. Wayfarer (Travelers)
Zakat can be given to a traveler who is left alone in a foreign land and is in need of money to get back to his destination or to fulfill his objective of traveling. There is a condition that the person should be traveling for a lawful purpose otherwise he is not entitled to receive zakat. Refugees are also wayfarers and can be given zakat money as they leave their countries because of violence and oppression in search of a safe and better place.

https://www.transparenthands.org/eligible-for-zakat/

source http://www.nairaland.com/6126533/eight-kinds-people-whom-zakat