Zakat

In the Quran, there is a verse that mentions the categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat. The verse is as follows:

 (Quran 9:60) “الصَّدَقَاتُ يُسْرِفُ فيها الرَّجُلُ فَهُوَ يُؤْلِمُ نَفْسَهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ الصَّدَقَاتِ مَا يُوفَّ بِهِ الصَّدَقَةُ الْعُدْلَ وَلاَ مَا يُعْطَى الرِّجَالَ وَلاَ مَا يُعْطَى الْبَنَاتِ وَلاَ مَا يُعْطَى الْعَبْدِ وَلاَ مَا يُعْطَى الْعَشِيرَةِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَلاَ مَا يُعْطَى الْمُعْتَرِّ وَلاَ مَ

Translation: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] 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.” (Quran 9:60)

In this verse, the categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat are listed as: the poor, the needy, those employed to collect Zakat, those working to bring hearts together for Islam, those who are slaves or captives, those who are in debt, and travelers who are stranded.

Here is the list of the seven categories that are eligible for Zakat, as mentioned in the verse from the Quran (9:60):

  • The poor
  • The needy
  • Those employed to collect Zakat
  • Those working to bring hearts together for Islam
  • Those who are slaves or captives
  • Those who are in debt
  • Travelers who are stranded

Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and is a mandatory charitable contribution that is required of all Muslims who meet certain criteria. Zakat is paid annually on a person’s wealth, and is used to support those in need, including the poor, orphans, widows, and others.

The Quranic verse that refers to the obligation of paying Zakat is the following:

(Quran 9:34-35) وَالَّذِينَ يَأْخُذُونَ الْكَيْلَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ يَوْمَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ شَرَابُهُمْ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُؤْتَوْهُ شَرَابًا نَّعِيمًا وَيَأْتِيهِمْ عَذَابُ الْخِزْيِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَلاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ”

Translation: “And those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment. On the Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell and their foreheads, sides, and backs will be branded with it: “This is the treasure you hoarded for yourselves; taste now what you used to hoard.” (Quran 9:34-35)

This verse from the Quran emphasizes the importance of spending one’s wealth in the way of Allah, including through the payment of Zakat. It also warns of the consequences of hoarding wealth and not using it to help those in need.

In addition to the Quranic verse, there are also several hadiths (traditions) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that mention the categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat. Here are a few examples:

Hadith: “إِنَّ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ الصَّدَقَةِ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَتُعْطِيَ الْيَتِيمَ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَالْعَامِلِينَ فِي الْجَسَدِ” (Sahih Bukhari)

Translation: “Verily, among the deeds of charity are to invite (people) to Allah, to give the orphan and the poor, and to pay the wages of the workers.”

Hadith: “عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “لا يصدق عبدٌ حتى يصدق عن دينه” (Sahih Bukhari)

Translation: “On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A person does not truly believe until he gives of his wealth (in charity).”

These hadiths demonstrate the importance of giving Zakat to those in need, including the poor, orphans, widows, and others. They also highlight the obligation to pay Zakat as a way of demonstrating one’s faith and devotion to Allah.

Overall, Zakat is an important Pillar of Islam that is required of all Muslims who meet certain criteria. It is used to support those in need and is an important way for Muslims to demonstrate their faith and devotion to Allah. The Quranic verse and hadiths mentioned above provide further evidence of the importance of Zakat and the categories of people who are eligible to receive it.