Module 8 of 10 · 15 minutes

Zakat Distribution — The Eight Categories of Recipients

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1Name the eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat
2Explain who cannot normally receive Zakat from a giver
3Understand why correct distribution matters as much as correct calculation

The eight categories

The Quran, in Chapter 9, Verse 60, sets out eight categories of people who may receive Zakat. Flip each card to reveal who they are.

The Poor⟳

The Needy⟳

Zakat Administrators⟳

Hearts To Be Reconciled⟳

Freeing Bondage⟳

Those In Debt⟳

In The Cause of Allah⟳

The Stranded Traveller⟳

[ Image placeholder — community food/aid distribution ]

Who cannot normally receive your Zakat

Certain people are generally excluded from receiving Zakat from a particular giver, mainly because the giver already has a duty to support them financially:

Your spouse.
Your children and grandchildren.
Your parents and grandparents.

Most scholars also agree that Zakat should not be given to non-Muslims for general welfare, although views differ on specific exceptions, such as reconciling hearts. Because of these nuances, learners should check with a knowledgeable source before making a distribution to an unusual case.

Reflective practice point

Think about how the organisation or platform you work with verifies that Zakat funds reach genuinely eligible recipients. Note down one question you would want answered before trusting a Zakat collection body with a donation.

Knowledge check

1. Name at least five of the eight categories eligible to receive Zakat.

2. Why can Zakat usually not be given to your own children or parents?

3. Can a person who administers Zakat be paid for that work? Explain your answer.

1. Any five of: the poor, the needy, Zakat administrators, hearts to be reconciled, freeing bondage, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, the stranded traveller.

2. Because the giver already has a financial duty to support them directly.

3. Yes — Zakat administrators may be paid a fair wage from the funds for their work.