The 8 Categories of Zakat in the Qur’an
“Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research is a research institute which aims to instill conviction and inspire contribution based on mainstream Islamic texts.” Zakat, or compulsory charity, is one of the most foundational obligations upon every Muslim. It is the third pillar of Islam and must be given annually. However, the actual recipients of our zakat are often unknown, and the system by which it is distributed is often not understood. There are 8 categories of people who must receive Zakat as described in the Qur’an (9:60). Each category of Zakat helps protect the entire community from different problems:- Al-Fuqara’: The Poor
- Ongoing desperation
- Dislocation from the community
- A weakening of one’s faith
- Al-Masakin: The Needy
- Constant financial struggle
- Lack of communal resources (since there will be fewer Zakat payers)
- Al ‘Amilina ‘Alayha: The Administrators of Zakat
- Diminished collection
- Haphazard distribution
- Al-Mu’allafah Qulūbuhum: Bringing Hearts Together
- Low social and political capital
- Animosity
- Lack of influence
- Fir-Riqāb: Those in Bondage
- Inequality
- Unfulfilled human potential
- Al-Gharimīn: Those in Debt
- Poor mental health for those in debt
- Tension between lenders and borrowers
- Reduction of lenders if there is no backup for lenders who face bad debts
- Fi-Sabeelillah: For God’s Cause
- Weakness in the face of external challenges
- Moral decline within the community
- Low religious literacy
- Ibn al-Sabil: The Stranded Traveller
- Social tension within communities if there is an inability to deal with stranded migrants or emergency scenarios.