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From the Quran

Who Can Receive Zakat?

The Quran doesn't leave this vague. Surah At-Tawbah 9:60 lists exactly 8 categories. Not 7. Not 9. Eight specific groups — and no one else.

"Zakah expenditures are only for the poor, for the needy, for those employed to collect [zakah], for bringing hearts together [for Islam], for freeing captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler — an obligation imposed by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise."— Surah At-Tawbah 9:60
1
Al-Fuqara — the poor

People who have very little — not nothing necessarily, but not enough to meet their basic needs. They might own a few things, but they can't sustain themselves properly.

2
Al-Masakeen — the needy

Even more destitute than the fuqara. These are people who can't meet basic needs at all and are often too embarrassed to ask for help. Many scholars prioritise this category first.

3
Al-Amileen — Zakat workers

People who are officially appointed to collect, administer and distribute Zakat. This makes Zakat self-sustaining — the infrastructure can be funded from Zakat itself.

4
Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum

Those whose hearts are being drawn towards Islam — new Muslims going through hardship, or people being supported as they explore the faith. This category is debated among scholars today.

5
Fir-Riqab — freeing captives

Historically: buying slaves their freedom. Today: many scholars apply this to modern slavery, human trafficking victims, or Muslims held unjustly as prisoners of war.

6
Al-Gharimeen — the indebted

Muslims crushed by debt they genuinely can't repay — provided the debt wasn't incurred through sin and they've truly exhausted their options. Zakat can clear the debt directly.

7
Fi Sabilillah — Allah's cause

Originally referred to fighters in a just cause. Contemporary scholars broadly include Islamic education, dawah, building mosques and madrasas, and humanitarian work in Muslim communities.

8
Ibn as-Sabil — the stranded traveler

Someone away from home with no way to get back — even if they're wealthy back home. Refugees and displaced people often fall under this category in contemporary rulings.

Who cannot receive Zakat?

  • Non-Muslims — except those in the Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum category
  • Your immediate dependants — a husband cannot give Zakat to his wife, or to parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren he supports financially
  • The wealthy — anyone above Nisab
  • Banu Hashim — the Prophet's ﷺ family (this is debated among scholars)

Can I give Zakat to relatives?

Yes — to extended family. Siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws. Anyone you're not financially responsible for and who qualifies as a recipient. Giving to eligible relatives actually earns double reward: the reward of Zakat plus the reward of maintaining family ties.

Should I give locally or internationally?

Most scholars say: local first. If there are poor and needy Muslims in your community, they have a stronger claim. Once local needs are met, giving to greater need internationally is absolutely permissible — and often praiseworthy.

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