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Read MoreZakat Guide · Qur'an 9:60
Who Can Receive Zakat? The Eight Categories
Zakat cannot go anywhere a giver chooses. The Qur'an names eight categories of people it may reach (9:60) - this guide explains each one in plain English, and who cannot receive it.
New to zakat? Start with our complete guide to zakat for the fuller picture.
The eight categories
Who cannot receive it
Family and zakat
Common questions
The short version
- Qur'an 9:60 names eight categories zakat may go to: the poor, the needy, zakat administrators, those whose hearts are being reconciled, those in bondage, those in debt, those striving in the cause of Allah, and the wayfarer.
- Zakat generally cannot go to your own dependants - those you are already obliged to support, such as your children or your parents.
- Where scholars differ - such as giving to non-Muslims, or how widely "the cause of Allah" extends - practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position.
- Giving zakat to a charity that works directly with people in these categories is a widely accepted way to reach them.
Qur'an 9:60
The Eight Categories, Explained
Qur'an 9:60 sets out exactly who zakat may reach. In plain English, the eight categories are:
- The poor (al-fuqara) - those with little or no means.
- The needy (al-masakin) - those facing hardship, though perhaps less visibly than the poor.
- Zakat administrators - people appointed to collect and distribute zakat.
- Those whose hearts are to be reconciled - new Muslims, or those close to Islam, who benefit from support.
- Those in bondage - historically, freeing slaves or captives; today, some scholars extend this to efforts against modern forms of bondage.
- Those in debt - people struggling with debt they cannot repay for a legitimate need.
- In the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah) - efforts that serve the wider good of the Muslim community. Scholars differ on how broadly this extends - some keep it narrow, others apply it more widely, including to some general Islamic institutions or infrastructure. Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position on the boundaries of this category.
- The wayfarer - a traveller stranded away from home without means, even if wealthy at home.
The exceptions
Who Cannot Receive Zakat
Zakat generally cannot go to people you are already obliged to support - your children, and your parents, since providing for them is already your duty, not an act of charity funded by zakat.
Honestly said
- A wife giving zakat to her husband is a point scholars discuss in detail - it is generally more readily accepted than a husband giving to his wife, since he is not typically her legal dependant. Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position; for your own situation, a scholar can advise.
Common questions
Family, Mosques and Non-Muslims
Family members
Zakat can often go to relatives who are not your direct dependants and who qualify under one of the eight categories - siblings, aunts, uncles, and independent adult children, for example. This is frequently encouraged, since it combines charity with keeping family ties. Your own parents, children, and (in the case of a husband supporting a wife) your spouse are usually excluded, as noted above.
Mosques and general charity infrastructure
Whether zakat can fund a mosque building, general charity running costs, or similar infrastructure, rather than going directly to the poor, is a point scholars differ on, tied to how broadly "the cause of Allah" is understood. Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position. Check with a scholar you trust if you want to direct your zakat this way.
Non-Muslims
The mainstream position keeps zakat within the eight categories, generally understood as reaching fellow Muslims, with limited exceptions such as reconciling hearts. Giving general charity (sadaqah) to non-Muslims in need is separately encouraged and welcomed at any time. If your situation specifically involves directing zakat to a non-Muslim recipient, speak to a scholar.
Common questions
Who Can Receive Zakat - Your Questions Answered
Can zakat go to my parents or children?
Generally no - you are already responsible for supporting your direct dependants, so zakat given to them would not count as fulfilling the obligation. This is the mainstream position across the schools of thought.
Can I give my zakat to a mosque?
This depends on how the funds are used and is a point scholars differ on - some restrict zakat to reaching individuals under the eight categories directly, others permit wider community uses under "the cause of Allah". Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position.
Can zakat go to non-Muslims?
The mainstream view keeps zakat within the eight categories, generally understood as reaching fellow Muslims, though scholars discuss some exceptions. General charity to anyone in need, of any faith, is always encouraged separately from zakat.
Can a wife give zakat to her husband?
This is discussed in detail by scholars, and views differ. Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position - a scholar can advise on your specific circumstances.
Can I give my zakat to a charity instead of a person directly?
Yes, this is a widely accepted and common way to ensure zakat reaches people in the eight categories, particularly the poor and needy, especially where a charity works directly with them.
What is 'fi sabilillah' and how wide is it?
It means "in the cause of Allah" and is one of the eight categories. Scholars differ on how widely it extends - some keep it narrow, others apply it more broadly to efforts serving the Muslim community. Practice varies between communities, and Aid For Mankind does not take a position.
Part of our complete guide
Zakat: A Complete UK Guide →Ready when you are
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