Six Kinds Of People To Whom Zakat Can Be Given

Zakat is a form of charity which is given to the poor and needy. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory on every Muslim who is financially stable. The main objective of zakat is to help the society by giving something from your wealth. In return, the Muslims get tremendous rewards not only in this world but also in 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.

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Zakat cannot be paid to everyone. There are specific people to whom zakat can be given. It is mentioned in Quran:

  Volume 2, Book 24, Number 498 :

Narrated by ‘Adi bin Hatim heard the Prophet saying   

“Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.”

According to this verse, there are Six 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. Zakat collectors

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

3. 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 debtor is not used for any un-Islamic or wrong purpose.

4. In the path of Allah

Those who are striving in the path of Allah are 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.

5. 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 condition.

6. 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.

Pay Zakat Online:

Account Title: “Transparent Hands Trust”
    Account Number: 220951896
    Branch Code: 0635
    IBAN Number: PK46 UNIL 0109 0002 2095 1896
    Bank Address: United Bank Limited,Bank Square,Block C,Model Town Lahore,Pakistan