Chapter 7 Recipients of Zakah

Chapter 7 Recipients of Zakah

For all types of Zakah, the intention is obligatory upon setting one's Zakah aside. Zakah must be paid to the Muslims among the eight categories of people deserving of Zakah, who are in the town where the money is. The eight categories deserving of Zakah are: 1. Those who are poor who earn less than half their basic needs (al-fuqara'); 2. Those who are poor who earn half but less than all their basic needs (al-masakin); 3. The Zakah workers who are assigned by the caliph (al-^amilun ^alayha); 4. The new converts to Islam whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-mu'allafatu qulubuhum); 5. The slaves who are short in satisfying their contract for purchasing their freedom from their owners (ar-riqab); 6. Those who are unable to pay their debts (al-gharimun); 7. The volunteer fighters (fi sabilillah); 8. The travellers who do not have enough to enable them to reach their destination (ibn-us-sabil).

It is neither permissible nor valid to pay Zakah to other than those eight types of people specifically mentioned; that is why it is not valid to pay Zakah for every charitable project.