Breaking Down Categories of Zakat Recipients in our Times

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

All of the world’s major religions contain some form of alms-giving, but Zakat has a special significance for Muslims. It is mandatory for all Muslims who are financially able to give a minimum of 2.5% of their accumulated wealth for the benefit of the poor. The word Zakat means ‘purification’ or ‘growth’.

A report by Global Humanitarian Assistance: Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, which is about 17% of the world’s estimated Muslim population, indicates that in these countries alone at least $5.7 billion is currently collected in Zakat each year.

It is estimated that the global volume of Zakat collected each year through formal channels is, at the very least, in the tens of billions of dollars. If we also consider Zakat paid through informal channels, the actual amount could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars (i).

Let's look at the Quranic verse that regulates Zakat. Sura Tawba (6) in aya 60 identifies the categories of recipients of Zakat.

"The offerings given for the sake of God are meant only for
[i] the poor and 
[ii] the needy, and 
[iii] those who are in charge thereof, 
[iv] and those whose hearts are to be won over, 
[v] and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, 
[vi] and for those who are overburdened with debts, 
[vii] and for every struggle in God's cause, and  

[viii] for the wayfarer:

i. The poor

The definition of poor would differ from place to place as well as on the size of a family. Some 767 million people in the world live on an earning less than $1.90 a day. In the US, the poverty line for a single person is about $12,150 and for a family of 4, it is $25,100.

ii. The needy

The needy is defined as the one who is having difficulty in meeting his/her basic needs met properly. Basic needs include food, clothing and a place to live as well as medicine if they are needed. It may also include transportation if the needy person requires it for going to work. They may be earning over the poverty line but may not be in a position to take care of their medicine or food, transportation or clothing properly.

iii. those who are in charge thereof,

It includes people who manage zakat funds, whether in masajid or in other institutions. If an Imam is involved in collecting Zakat funds, he can be qualified to receive from such collections.

iv. Those whose hearts have to be won over

It includes all those people who may not have heard about Islam or who may have a negative attitude towards Islam and Muslims. In this category are included individuals and groups involved in public relations work for Islam, Muslim groups engaged in interfaith and inter-communal work, Muslim media that is primarily devoted to promoting Islam, universities, and colleges that are teaching Islam to non-Muslims.

v. For freeing of human beings from bondage

There are 40 million people living in slavery in our world today. There are about 42 million girls, women, boys and transgender who are forced to sell their bodies to others because they have no other means to earn their livelihood. Also, there are about one million families that due to poverty are forced to sell their children to others

vi. and [for] those who are overburdened with debts,

Burdened by debts include those people who may be above the poverty line and whose basic needs may also be covered. but who are burdened by debt to such an extent that they may not carry out their household responsibilities properly.

vii. and [for every struggle] in God's cause,

It includes those who are out there to spread the word of God and who are standing up for social justice and equality and against oppression.

viii. [for] the wayfarer

Those who are travelers with little means or displaced people, including refugees or even homeless.

The distribution is not confined to Muslims only. It is not limited to non-relatives as relatives as well as family members who are in this situation may also be the recipient.

How should zakat be distributed?

It can be done individually or it can be done through organizations and Masajid who have expertise in this area.

The ideal situation would be to have a central body in every state or city to collect zakat funds in a transparent manner. The collection groups and individuals should educate the community about centralizing the resources and then through consultation with the trusted people of the community distribute to the recipients in each category.

What is important to realize is that if the zakat is distributed through agencies and masajid and institutions, then the community must be informed about its distribution. In other words, there must be absolute transparency in zakat collection and distribution.