Eligibility for Zakat

In the Noble Qur’an, Allah ﷻ has explicitly mentioned eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat.

“The Sadaqāt (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.”
— Surah At-Taubah (9:60)
— Mufti Taqi Usmani

Our focus will be on category number seven: “Those in the path of Allah ﷻ.” According to the Hanafi Madhab, who does this include? Does it include students and others who perform good deeds? And is poverty a necessary condition?

The Fuqaha have discussed extensively who is included in this category. The meaning generally understood by the majority refers to those who go out to fight in the cause of Allah ﷻ.

Later Hanafi scholars, such as Imam Kasani رحمه الله, expanded this to include those who carry out acts of good solely for the sake of Allah ﷻ, with the condition of need (ḥājah) and poverty, thereby excluding those who are wealthy.

Abu Sa‘eed Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity is not permissible for a rich person except in the way of Allah, or for the wayfarer, or for one who has a poor neighbour to whom charity is given.”
Shar‘i Definition of a Poor Person

The Shari‘ah defines poverty in two categories:

  • Faqeer (Poor): One who owns some wealth, but it does not reach the amount of nisab, or owns nisab but it is non-productive or required for essential needs (ḥājāt aṣliyyah).
  • Miskeen: One who owns nothing at all.
One of the primary objectives of Zakat, as mentioned in the hadith, is: “Take from the rich and give to the poor.”

According to the most correct opinion in the Hanafi Madhab, a student may only be assisted with Zakat if they are considered legally poor. If a wealthy student were to receive Zakat, the objective of Zakat would be nullified.

Therefore, if a student owns less than the nisab, owns nothing, or owns nisab but requires it for essential needs, they may be assisted with Zakat for their studies.

Allah Knows Best.
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