Those living in severe hardship who lack the means to cover even their basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. The Qur'an names the poor first among the eight categories. Classical jurists distinguish the faqir from the miskin, and the schools differ on which of the two is worse off: many Hanafi jurists treat the faqir as slightly better provided for than the miskin, while many Shafi'i and Hanbali jurists hold the reverse. In practice both describe people whose income does not meet their essential needs.
Examples
- •A family that cannot afford regular meals
- •A person with no stable income and no assets reaching nisab
- •Someone whose earnings fall well short of basic living costs
Those in hardship who have some resources but not enough to meet their essential needs. Because the Qur'an lists the poor and the needy as separate categories, jurists discuss the fine line between them, yet both are given from zakat to relieve need. The distinction affects wording more than eligibility, since both are clearly entitled to receive.
Examples
- •A worker whose wage covers only part of the month's needs
- •A household that owns basic belongings but cannot cover rent or medical costs
al-amilina alayha
Zakat administrators
Those formally appointed to collect, record, safeguard, and distribute zakat. They may be paid from zakat for this work even if they are not themselves poor, as fair compensation for their service. Classical jurists tie this share to appointment by a legitimate authority. Today it applies to the staff and agents of trustworthy zakat institutions who carry out collection and distribution.
Examples
- •Appointed collectors and record-keepers of a zakat fund
- •Staff of a recognized institution who distribute zakat to eligible recipients
al-muallafati qulubuhum
Those whose hearts are reconciled
New Muslims, and those inclined toward Islam whose support helps them and their community, may be given zakat to strengthen their faith and sense of belonging. Historically this also included influential figures whose goodwill protected the wider community.
Examples
- •A recent convert needing support to settle into the community
- •Someone whose goodwill toward Islam is being cultivated
Differences of opinion
This is one of the more debated categories. Many Hanafi jurists hold that it lapsed after Islam grew strong, citing the ijtihad of Umar ibn al-Khattab, while many Shafi'i and Hanbali jurists and a number of contemporary scholars hold that it remains valid whenever the need arises.
fir-riqab
Freeing those in bondage
Historically this category funded the emancipation of slaves and helped a mukatab, a slave working under contract to buy their own freedom, as well as ransoming captives. With slavery largely abolished, contemporary scholars apply it to freeing people from bondage and ransoming captives.
Examples
- •Ransoming a captive to secure their release
- •Helping a person held in bondage regain their freedom (per views that extend the category)
Differences of opinion
Scholars differ on how far the modern application extends. Some limit it to ransoming captives, while others include assisting victims of trafficking or unjust captivity.
People burdened by lawful debts they cannot repay. This includes debt taken on for genuine needs and, in classical fiqh, debt incurred to reconcile disputes between people. Debt arising from unlawful or sinful means is generally excluded unless the person has repented. Zakat here lifts the burden of a real debt, not the cost of extravagance.
Examples
- •Someone unable to repay medical or essential-living debts
- •A person who took on debt to reconcile a dispute
- •A household facing default on a necessary, non-usurious loan
fi sabilillah
In the cause of Allah
Classically, the majority of jurists understood this as those engaged in armed struggle or defense in the cause of Allah, especially volunteers who are not paid from the public treasury.
Examples
- •Supporting a volunteer defender who is not on a state salary (classical scope)
- •Funding religious education or dawah projects (per the broader view)
Differences of opinion
The scope of this category is the most debated of the eight. Some scholars keep it restricted to military defense in the cause of Allah, while others extend it to broader works that serve Islam and the public good, such as dawah, Islamic education, and community welfare. Both readings are held by reputable scholars, so this guide presents the difference rather than settling it.
ibn as-sabil
The stranded traveler
A traveler who is cut off from their wealth and stranded away from home may receive zakat to meet their needs and return, even if they are wealthy in their home town. What matters is the present need caused by being stranded, not overall poverty. Some scholars apply the same principle to displaced people and refugees in comparable situations.
Examples
- •A traveler who loses access to money far from home
- •A stranded person needing fare and provisions to return
- •Displaced people cut off from their resources (per views that extend it)
