Who Receives Zakat? — Nisab Al Zakat

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

"Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and the needy, and for those employed to collect it, and for bringing hearts together, and for freeing captives, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveller. This is an obligation from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." القرآن الكريم، سورة التوبة، الآية ٦٠Quran, At-Tawbah 9:60

01The Eight Categories

1. Al-Fuqara (The Poor)

Those who possess some wealth but less than the Nisab after accounting for basic needs. They have meagre income that does not cover their essential expenses. Example: A worker whose income is too low to support their family, or a widow with insufficient resources.

2. Al-Masakin (The Destitute)

Those in even greater need than the poor. They may own nothing at all or have no reliable income to sustain themselves. Example: An unemployed person with no savings, or an elderly person with no source of income.

3. Al-Amileen (Zakat Administrators)

Those appointed by the Khalifah or Islamic state to collect, manage, and distribute Zakat. They may receive compensation from Zakat funds regardless of their own financial status.
This category is tied to a functioning Islamic governance structure, which does not exist today. Scholars differ on whether modern NGOs or charities qualify under this category, and the matter is not settled.
If an organisation is claiming Al-Amileen status to justify administrative fees from Zakat funds, you are encouraged to verify this with a qualified scholar whose methodology you trust before proceeding. Do not rely solely on the organisation's own classification.

4. Al-Mu'allafat Qulubuhum (Those Whose Hearts Are Reconciled)

Individuals, often new Muslims or influential people, whose support benefits the Muslim community. Hanafi considers this category abrogated after Islam was firmly established in Madinah and not applicable today. Maliki Shafi'i Hanbali still consider it valid when reconciliation serves a genuine purpose.

5. Fi'l-Riqab (Freeing from Bondage)

Historically used to free enslaved people. In modern contexts, scholars apply this to assisting bonded labourers, helping with the legal debts of imprisoned individuals, and supporting victims of human trafficking.

6. Al-Gharimeen (People in Debt)

Those burdened with debts incurred for permissible purposes who cannot repay them. They do not have wealth above the Nisab after accounting for their debts. Example: Someone who borrowed for medical treatment or essential family expenses and cannot afford to repay.

7. Fi Sabil Allah (In the Cause of Allah)

Classically, this category was restricted to soldiers engaged in Jihad (armed struggle in the cause of Allah) who were not on the state payroll and lacked the means to equip themselves. This interpretation is tied to the existence of a functioning Islamic state under a Khalifah, which does not exist today.
Contemporary scholars have broadened this category to include da'wah (outreach), Islamic education, welfare projects, and humanitarian work. However, this expansion is a matter of ongoing scholarly debate and not a settled position across all schools of jurisprudence.
Given the absence of an Islamic state, the application of this category today varies significantly between scholars. If you intend to allocate your Zakat under Fi Sabilillah, particularly through an NGO or charity, you are strongly encouraged to verify this with a qualified scholar whose methodology and references you trust before proceeding.

8. Ibn al-Sabil (The Stranded Traveller)

A traveller who is cut off from their wealth and cannot access funds to return home, even if they are wealthy at their place of origin. Modern examples: Refugees displaced by conflict, asylum seekers who have been separated from their assets, or any traveller who has lost or been robbed of their resources.

02Who Cannot Receive Zakat

Excluded Recipients

Your parents, grandparents, and all ancestors (upward lineage)
Your children, grandchildren, and all descendants (downward lineage)
Your spouse (husband cannot give to wife, nor wife to husband)
Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib (both clans descend from ^Abdu Manaf; the Prophet said: "We and the Muttalib clan are like one clan"), and the freed slaves of either clan. Voluntary charity and gifts to them are permissible. Note: the other sons of ^Abdu Manaf — ^Abdu Shams and Nawfal — and their descendants do not share this restriction.
Non-Muslims for Zakat al-Mal (the Hanafi school permits Zakat al-Fitr to poor non-Muslims)
Anyone whose total non-essential assets exceed the Nisab

03Practical Guidance

Giving to Relatives

Giving Zakat to eligible relatives (brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, in-laws) is not just permissible, it is preferred. It carries a double reward: the reward of Zakat itself, plus the reward of maintaining family ties (Silat ar-Rahm). Many scholars encourage prioritising needy relatives over strangers.

Disguising Zakat as a Gift

It is not necessary to inform the recipient that the money is Zakat. You may give it as an Eid gift, a present, or under any other title. This preserves the dignity of the recipient. Similarly, Zakat may be given to poor students pursuing education in Islamic schools.

Verifying Eligibility

Those paying Zakat should take care to verify that recipients genuinely qualify. A person cannot receive Zakat if the value of their non-essential personal assets (beyond their home, basic furniture, and personal vehicle) exceeds the Nisab. The obligation of Zakat is only considered fulfilled if paid to someone who truly qualifies.

Tamlik: Direct Ownership Transfer

The Hanafi school specifically requires Tamlik: the recipient must be made the full owner of the wealth given. This means Zakat cannot be used to fund general construction projects (mosques, hospitals, schools, roads) because no individual is made the direct owner. However, you can give a poor person money, work tools, or fund a small business that they own.

Negligent Distribution

If a payer negligently gives Zakat to someone who turns out to be ineligible, the payer must compensate by paying it again to an eligible recipient. The original payment does not discharge the obligation. This underscores the importance of due diligence.

Charity Administration Fees

Some charities deduct administrative costs from Zakat funds, citing the Al-Amileen category. As noted above, this category is classically tied to appointees of a functioning Islamic state, and whether modern charities qualify is a matter of scholarly disagreement. If a charity is applying this deduction, verify with a scholar you trust that this is acceptable before proceeding.
If after your own research you are satisfied, consider adding an additional amount on top of your calculated Zakat to ensure the full Nisab-equivalent reaches recipients. Many charities that do apply this cap it at 12.5% (one-eighth of the total).
Personally, I would recommend giving through charities that pass 100% of your Zakat to recipients, covering all administrative and transaction costs separately from Zakat funds. This removes the scholarly uncertainty entirely and ensures your obligation is fulfilled without ambiguity.

A Note on Scholarly Differences

Zakat is a deeply nuanced obligation. Many details, including who qualifies as a recipient, what assets are zakatable, how thresholds apply to modern financial instruments, and whether certain organisations may receive Zakat funds, vary significantly from person to person depending on their school of jurisprudence, personal circumstances, and the scholars they follow.
This tool provides a general reference and a calculation aid. It does not replace personalised scholarly guidance. You are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified scholar whose knowledge, methodology, and references you trust before finalising how you give your Zakat.

Next: Timing & Payment — When to pay, advance payments, installments, and missed Zakat.