Coran, hadith et savants : La Zakat

Les aumônes ne sont destinées qu’aux pauvres, aux indigents, aux fonctionnaires chargés de leur collecte, à ceux dont les cœurs sont à gagner (à l’Islam), au rachat des captifs, à ceux qui sont endettés, à la cause d’Allah, et au voyageur en détresse. C’est un décret d’Allah! Allah est Omniscient et Sage.

Accomplissez la prière, acquittez-vous de la zakat et inclinez-vous avec ceux qui s’inclinent.

... Et ils t’interrogent : "Que doit-on dépenser (en charité)?" Dis : "Ce qui dépasse vos besoins." Ainsi, Allah vous expose Ses versets afin que vous réfléchissiez.

La piété ne consiste pas à tourner vos visages vers le Levant ou le Couchant. Mais la piété est (le fait de croire) en Allah, au Jour dernier, aux anges, au Livre et aux prophètes, de donner de ses biens, même s'il y tient, à ses proches, aux orphelins, aux indigents, aux voyageurs, à ceux qui demandent de l'aide, et pour affranchir des esclaves; d'accomplir la prière, de s'acquitter de la zakat, de respecter les engagements conclus, et d'être patient dans l'adversité, la douleur et les moments de violence. Les voilà les véridiques! Et les voilà les vrais pieux!

Ô vous qui croyez! Dépensez (en charité) de ce que Nous vous avons octroyé avant qu’un Jour vienne où il n’y aura ni commerce, ni amitié, ni intercession! Et ce sont les mécréants qui sont les injustes.

Ceux qui dépensent leurs biens pour la cause d’Allah, sans accompagner ce qu’ils donnent de reproches ou d’offense, auront leur récompense auprès de leur Seigneur. Ils n’auront aucune crainte et ne seront point affligés.

Quoi que vous dépensiez en charité ou que vous fassiez comme vœu, Allah le sait. Mais pour les injustes, il n’y a pas de secours.

Ce n’est pas à toi de les guider (vers la foi), mais c’est Allah qui guide qui Il veut. Et tout ce que vous dépensez comme bien, ce sera pour vous-mêmes; et vous ne dépensez que pour rechercher la Face d’Allah. Et tout ce que vous dépensez comme bien vous sera pleinement rendu, et vous ne serez pas lésés.

Les aumônes sont destinées aux pauvres qui se sont engagés dans la cause d’Allah et qui ne peuvent se déplacer pour chercher un gain. L’ignorant les croit riches parce qu’ils s’abstiennent de mendier. Tu les reconnaîtras à leur aspect. Ils n’importunent personne en quémandant. Et tout ce que vous dépensez de vos biens, Allah le sait.

N’as-tu pas vu ceux à qui il avait été dit: «Retenez vos mains (de combattre), accomplissez la prière et acquittez-vous de la zakat!» Puis, quand le combat leur fut prescrit, voilà qu’une partie d’entre eux se mit à craindre les gens comme on craint Allah, ou même d’une crainte plus forte encore, et à dire: «Ô notre Seigneur! Pourquoi nous as-Tu prescrit le combat? Si seulement Tu nous accordais un court délai!» Dis: «La jouissance d’ici-bas est peu de chose, alors que l’au-delà est meilleur pour quiconque craint Allah. Et on ne vous lésera pas, fût-ce du volume d’un fil.

Quand donc les mois sacrés expirent, tuez les associateurs où que vous les trouviez. Capturez-les, assiégez-les et guettez-les dans toute embuscade. Mais s’ils se repentent, accomplissent la prière et s’acquittent de la zakat, alors laissez-leur la voie libre, car Allah est Pardonneur et Miséricordieux.

Les croyants et les croyantes sont alliés les uns des autres. Ils commandent le convenable, interdisent le blâmable, accomplissent la prière, acquittent la zakat, et obéissent à Allah et à Son Messager. Voilà ceux auxquels Allah fera miséricorde, car Allah est Puissant et Sage.

Donne au proche parent son droit, ainsi qu’au pauvre et au voyageur (en détresse). Et ne gaspille pas indûment, car les gaspilleurs sont les frères des diables, et le diable est très ingrat envers son Seigneur. Et si tu te détournes d’eux à la recherche de la miséricorde de ton Seigneur, que tu espères, adresse-leur une parole bienveillante. Et ne porte pas ta main enchaînée à ton cou, et ne l’étends pas non plus trop largement, sinon tu te retrouveras blâmé et dépouillé.

Et Nous avons fait d’eux des chefs qui guidaient (les autres) par Notre ordre. Et Nous leur avons inspiré de faire le bien, d’accomplir la prière et d’acquitter la zakat. Et ils étaient Nos adorateurs.

Ceux qui, si Nous leur donnons la puissance sur terre, accomplissent la prière, acquittent la zakat, commandent le convenable et interdisent le blâmable. Cependant, l’issue finale de toute chose appartient à Allah.

Et tu n’espérais pas que le Livre te serait révélé; mais cela est une miséricorde de ton Seigneur. Ne soutiens donc jamais les mécréants.

Et ceux à qui le Livre a été donné ne se sont divisés qu’après que leur fut venue la preuve évidente. Il ne leur a été commandé, cependant, que d’adorer Allah, Lui vouant un culte exclusif, d’accomplir la prière et de s’acquitter de la zakat. Et voilà la religion de droiture.

Ceux qui dépensent leurs biens dans le chemin d'Allah sans faire suivre ce qu'ils ont dépensé de rappels (de leur générosité) ou d'offenses auront leur récompense auprès de leur Seigneur. Ils n'éprouveront aucune crainte, et ils ne seront point affligés.

Une parole aimable et un pardon valent mieux qu'une aumône suivie d'une offense. Et Allah se suffit à Lui-même et Il est Indulgent. Ô vous qui avez cru! Ne rendez pas vos aumônes vaines par des rappels ou des offenses, comme celui qui dépense son bien par ostentation devant les gens et ne croit pas en Allah ni au Jour dernier. Son exemple est celui d'un rocher recouvert de poussière: une pluie torrentielle l'atteint et le laisse dénudé. Ils ne tirent aucun profit de ce qu'ils ont acquis. Et Allah ne guide pas les gens mécréants.

Et l'exemple de ceux qui dépensent leurs biens à la recherche de l'agrément d'Allah et pour raffermir leurs âmes est celui d'un jardin sur une hauteur: une pluie abondante l'atteint et il produit le double de ses fruits. Et s'il ne reçoit pas une pluie abondante, une rosée lui suffit. Et Allah observe parfaitement ce que vous faites.

Ceux et celles qui font des aumônes et qui prêtent à Allah un prêt sincère, cela leur sera multiplié, et ils auront une récompense généreuse.

[Les aumônes sont] destinées aux pauvres qui se sont consacrés à la cause d'Allah et qui ne peuvent parcourir la terre (à des fins lucratives). L'ignorant les croit riches à cause de leur retenue, mais tu les reconnaîtras à leur apparence. Ils ne demandent pas aux gens avec insistance (ou pas du tout). Et tout ce que vous dépensez de vos biens, Allah en est, en vérité, parfaitement informé.

Et [rappelez-vous] lorsque Nous avons pris l'engagement des Enfants d'Israël en disant: "N'adorez qu'Allah; faites du bien à vos parents, aux proches, aux orphelins et aux nécessiteux. Parlez aux gens avec bonté; accomplissez la prière et acquittez-vous de la zakat." Puis, à l'exception d'un petit nombre d'entre vous, vous vous êtes détournés, réfractaires.

Ô vous qui avez cru! Faites des dépenses (en charité) des bonnes choses que vous avez acquises et de ce que Nous avons fait sortir de la terre pour vous. Ne cherchez pas à donner ce qui est mauvais, que vous-même n'accepteriez qu'en fermant les yeux. Et sachez qu'Allah se suffit à Lui-même et qu'Il est Digne de louange.

Et tout ce que vous dépensez ou tout vœu que vous faites, Allah en a connaissance. Et les injustes n'auront point de secoureurs. Si vous divulguez vos dépenses charitables, c'est bien. Mais si vous les cachez et les donnez aux pauvres, c'est encore mieux pour vous, et Il effacera certaines de vos fautes. Et Allah est Parfaitement Connaissant de ce que vous faites.

Ceux qui dépensent leurs biens (dans le chemin d'Allah) la nuit et le jour, en secret ou en public, auront leur récompense auprès de leur Seigneur. Et ils n'auront rien à craindre et ne seront point affligés.

Et [il en va] de ceux qui dépensent leurs biens par ostentation devant les gens, sans croire en Allah ni au Jour dernier. Et celui à qui Satan est compagnon, quel mauvais compagnon!

Ceux qui critiquent les croyants faisant des aumônes, qu'ils en donnent beaucoup ou peu selon leurs moyens, et qui se moquent d'eux, Allah se moquera d'eux, et ils auront un châtiment douloureux.

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : Un Bédouin est venu au Prophète (ﷺ) et a dit : "Parle-moi d'une action qui me fera entrer au Paradis si je la fais." Le Prophète (p.b.l) a dit : "Adore Allah et n'adore personne d'autre avec Lui, accomplis parfaitement les prières obligatoires (les cinq), paie la Zakat obligatoire, et jeûne le mois de Ramadan." Le Bédouin dit : "Par Celui dans les Mains duquel est ma vie, je ne ferai pas plus que cela." Quand il (le Bédouin) partit, le Prophète (ﷺ) dit : "Quiconque aime voir un homme du Paradis, qu'il regarde cet homme." Rapporté par Abu Zur'a : De la part du Prophète (ﷺ) la même chose qu'au-dessus.

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : L'Envoyé d'Allah a dit : "Quiconque est enrichi par Allah et ne paie pas la Zakat de sa richesse, alors au Jour de la Résurrection sa richesse prendra la forme d'un serpent venimeux chauve avec deux taches noires sur les yeux. Le serpent enroulera son cou et mordra ses joues et dira : 'Je suis ta richesse, je suis ton trésor.' " Puis le Prophète a récité les versets sacrés :-- 'Que ceux qui retiennent...' (jusqu'à la fin du verset). (3.180).

Rapporté par Al-Ahnaf bin Qais : Alors que je m'assoyais avec des gens de Quraish, un homme aux cheveux, vêtements et apparence très rudes vint et se tint devant nous, nous salua et dit : "Informez ceux qui amassent des richesses qu'une pierre sera chauffée dans le Feu de l'Enfer et sera placée sur les mamelons de leurs poitrines jusqu'à ce qu'elle ressorte des os de leurs épaules et sera ensuite replacée sur leurs épaules jusqu'à ce qu'elle ressorte par les mamelons de leurs poitrines, la pierre se déplaçant et frappant." Après avoir dit cela, la personne se retira et s'assit près du pilier. Je le suivis et m'assis à côté de lui sans savoir qui il était. Je lui dis : "Je pense que les gens n'ont pas apprécié ce que tu as dit." Il répondit : "Ces gens ne comprennent rien, bien que mon ami m'ait dit cela." Je demandai : "Qui est ton ami ?" Il répondit : "Le Prophète m'a dit (à moi), [...]"

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : Le Prophète a dit : "Chaque jour, deux anges descendent du Ciel. L'un d'eux dit : 'Ô Allah ! Récompense chaque personne qui dépense dans Ta Cause,' et l'autre (ange) dit : 'Ô Allah ! Détruis chaque avare.'"

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : Abu Bakr a dit : "Par Allah ! S'ils (me paient la Zakat et) retiennent même une petite chèvre qu'ils avaient l'habitude de payer du vivant de l'Envoyé d'Allah, je combattrai avec eux pour cela." 'Umar dit : "Ce n'était rien d'autre qu'Allah Qui ouvrit la poitrine d'Abu Bakr vers la décision de combattre, et je compris que sa décision était juste."

Rapporté par Abu Dhar : Une fois, je suis allé le voir (le Prophète), et il a dit : "Par Allah dans les Mains duquel est ma vie (ou a probablement dit, 'Par Allah, excepté Qui personne n'a le droit d'être adoré), quiconque possède des chameaux, des vaches ou des moutons et ne paie pas leur Zakat, ces animaux seront amenés le Jour de la Résurrection beaucoup plus grands et plus gras qu'avant, et ils le piétineront sous leurs sabots, et le frapperont avec leurs cornes, et (ces animaux feront un cercle) : Lorsque le dernier aura terminé son tour, le premier recommencera, et ce châtiment continuera jusqu'à ce qu'Allah ait fini de juger parmi les gens."

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : L'Envoyé d'Allah a dit : "Il n'y a pas de Zakat ni sur un cheval ni sur un esclave appartenant à un musulman."

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : Le Prophète a dit : "Il n'y a pas de Zakat ni sur un esclave ni sur un cheval appartenant à un musulman."

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : L'Envoyé d'Allah (p.b.l) a ordonné (à une personne) de collecter la Zakat, et cette personne est revenue et lui a dit qu'Ibn Jamil, Khalid bin Al-Walid, et Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib avaient refusé de payer la Zakat." Le Prophète a dit : "Qu'est-ce qui a fait qu'Ibn Jamll refuse de donner la Zakat alors qu'il était pauvre et qu'il a été enrichi par Allah et Son Envoyé ? Mais vous êtes injustes de demander la Zakat à Khalid car il garde son armure pour la Cause d'Allah (pour le Jihad). Quant à Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib, il est l'oncle de l'Envoyé d'Allah (p.b.l) et la Zakat est obligatoire sur lui, et il doit la payer double."

Rapporté par Sad (bin Abi Waqqas) : L'Envoyé d'Allah a distribué quelque chose (des ressources de la Zakat) parmi un groupe de personnes tandis que j'étais assis parmi eux, mais il a laissé un homme que je considérais comme le meilleur du lot. Alors, je suis allé voir l'Envoyé d'Allah et lui ai demandé en secret : "Pourquoi as-tu laissé cette personne ? Par Allah ! Je le considère comme un croyant." Le Prophète a dit : "Ou seulement un musulman (qui se soumet à Allah)." Je suis resté silencieux pendant un moment, mais je ne pouvais m'empêcher de répéter ma question à cause de ce que je savais de lui. [...]

Rapporté par Abu Huraira : L'Envoyé d'Allah (ﷺ) a dit : "Le Kanz (argent dont la Zakat n'est pas payée) de chacun de vous apparaîtra sous la forme d'un serpent venimeux chauve le Jour de la Résurrection."

Abu Huraira a rapporté que l'Envoyé d'Allah (que la paix soit sur lui) a dit : Aucune Sadaqa n'est due par un musulman sur son esclave ou son cheval.

Abu Huraira a rapporté que l'Envoyé d'Allah (que la paix soit sur lui) a dit : Aucune Sadaqa n'est due par un musulman sur son esclave ou son cheval.

Abu Huraira a rapporté que l'Envoyé d'Allah (que la paix soit sur lui) a envoyé Umar pour collecter la Sadaqa (zakat), et il fut dit qu'Ibn Jamil, Khalid b. Walid et Abbas l'oncle de l'Envoyé d'Allah (que la paix soit sur lui), avaient refusé (de la payer). [...] Umar, garde cela à l'esprit, l'oncle d'une personne est comme son père.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah al-Ansari a rapporté que l'Envoyé d'Allah (que la paix soit sur lui) a dit : Le propriétaire d'un chameau qui ne paie pas ce qui lui est dû (sera puni de cette manière), qu'au Jour de la Résurrection beaucoup d'autres (avec son chameau) viendront et le propriétaire sera assis sur un sol sablonneux mou et ils le piétineront de leurs pieds et sabots. [...]

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There is never a day wherein servants (of God) get up at morn, but are not visited by two angels. One of them says: 0 Allah, give him more who spends (for the sake of Allah), and the other says: 0 Allah, bring destruction to one who withholds.

Abu Haraira reported that the likeness of one who spends [in the path of Allah] or one who gives charity is that of a person who has two cloaks or two coats-of-mail over him right from the breast to the collar bones. And when the spender (and the other narrator said, when the giver of charity) makes up his mind to give charity, it (coat-mail) becomes expanded for him. But when a miserly person intends to spend, it contracts and every ring grips the place where it is. For the giver of charity, this coat-of. mail expands to cover his whole body and obliterates even his footprints. Abu Huraira said: (The miserly man) tries to expand it (the coat-of-mail) but it does not expand.

Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) bestow- ed (some gifts) upon a group of people and I was sitting amongst them. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), however, left a person and he did not give him any. thing. and he seemed to me the most excellent among them (and thus deserved the gifts more than anyone else). So I stood up before the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said to him in undertone: Messenger of Allah, what obout so and so? By Allah, I find him a believer. He (the Messenger of Allah) said: He may be a Muslim. I kept quiet for a short while, and then what I knew of him urged me (to plead his case again) and I said: Messenger of Allah, what about so and so? By Allah, I find him a believer. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: He may, be a Muslim. I again remained quiet for a short while, and what I knew of him again urged me (to plead his case so I) said: Messenger of Allah, what about so and so? By Allah, I find him a believer. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: He may be a Muslim. I often bestow (something) upon a person, whereas someone else is dearer to me than he, because of the fear that he may fall headling into the fire. And in the hadith transmitted by Hulwani this statement was repeated twice.

Anas b. Malik reported that when on the Day of Hunain Allah conferred upon His Apostle (may peace be upon him) the riches of Hawazin (without armed encounter), the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) set about distributing to some persons of Quraish one hundred camels Upon this they (the young people from the Ansar) said: May Allah grant pardon to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he bestowed (these camels) upon the people of Quraish, and he ignored us, whereas our swords are still dripping blood. Anas b. Malik said: Their statement was conveyed to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he sent (someone) to the Ansar and gathered them under a tent of leather. When they had assembled, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to thera and said: What is this news that has reached me from you? The wise people of the Ansar said: Messenger of Allah, so far as the sagacious amongst us are concerned they have said nothing, but we have amongst us persons of immature age; they said: May Allah grant pardon to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he gave to the Quraish and ignored us (despite the fact) that our swords are besmeared with their blood. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: I give (at times material gifts) to persons who were quite recently in the state of unbelief, so that I may incline them to truth Don't you feel delighted that people should go with riches, and you should go back to your places with the Apostle of Allah? By Allah, that with which you would return is better than that with which they would return. They said: Yes, Messenger of Allah, we are pleased. The Holy Prophet said too: You would find marked preference (in conferring of the material gifts) in future, so you should show patience till you meet Allah and His Messenger and I would he at the Haud Kauthar. They said: We would show patience.

Abdullah b. Zaid reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) conquered Hunain he distributed the booty, and he bestowed upon those whose hearts it was intended to win. It was conveyed to him (the Holy Prophet) that the Ansar cherished a desire that they should be given (that very portion) which the people (of Quraish) had got. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) stood up and, after having praised Allah and lauded Him, addressed them thus: 0 people of Ansar, did I not find you erring and Allah guided you aright through me, and (in the state of) being destitute and Allah made you free from want through me, and in a state of disunity and Allah united you through me, and they (the Ansar) said: Allah and His Messenger are most benevolent. He (again) said: Why do you not answer me? They said: Allah and His Messenger are the most benevolent. He said, If you wish you should say so and so, and the event (should take) such and such course (and in this connection he made a mention) of so many things. 'Amr is under the impressionthat he has not been able to remember them. He (the Holy Prophet) further said: Don't you feel happy (over this state of affairs) that the people should go away with goats and camels, and you go to your places along with the Messenger of Allah? The Ansar are inner garments (more close to me) and (other) people are outer garments. Had there not been migration, I would have been a man from among the Ansar. If the people were to tread a valley or a narrow path, I would tread the valley (chosen) by the Ansar or narrow path (trodden) by them. And you would soon find after me preferences (over you in getting material benefits). So you should show patience till you meet me at the Haud (Kauthar).

It was narrated that Khuraim bin Fatik said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever spends in the cause of Allah, it will be recorded for him seven hundred fold.'"^[1] (Sahih)

There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims, as mentioned by Ibn al-Mundhir, Kasani, Ibn Qudama, Buhuti, and others.

Muwaffaq Ibn Qudama, a great Hanbali Imam, says in his Mughni:

'We do not know of any difference of opinion among the people of knowledge (ahl al-`ilm) that zakat on wealth cannot be given to a kafir' Ibn al-Mundhir said, 'There is consensus of all those whose positions we know from the people of knowledge that a non-Muslim (dhimmi) cannot be given any zakat.'

'This is because the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said to Mu`adh [in the authentic hadith, reported by Bukhari 1365, Muslim 26-27, and elsewhere], 'Tell them that they are obliged to give a charity (i.e. zakat) that is taken from their rich and given to their poor.'

'The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) specified the Muslims as giving it to their poor, just as he specified that it is only obligatory on their rich.' [Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, 2.1774]

The hadith commentators mention that their above refers to 'the Muslims,' in both cases. This is how Imam Kasani explained it in his Bada'i` al-Sana'i` in Hanafi fiqh, too.

As for 'those whose hearts are to be inclined,' this category has been abrogated according to the Hanafi scholars. [Hidaya] There is difference of opinion regarding this point, however, among the schools of fiqh.

It is best that zakatu-l-fitr be given to the poor and the needy (al-miskin - someone whose level of poverty is more or less than the poor (al-faqir), but does not let others know of his need nor does he beg from others), these are the first two categories of the eight to whom zakat is normally given to; this due to his salallahu alayhi wa salam saying, ‘…and as food for the needy’. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that zakatu-l-fitr is not to be given to non-Muslims.

It is not permissible to give zakaah on one’s wealth or crops, or Zakaat al-Fitr, to kaafirs, even if they are poor, or wayfarers, or debtors, and if one who gives zakaah to them, that is not counted as zakaah.

It is permissible to give regular charity – not obligatory charity (i.e., zakaah) to poor kaafirs, and to exhange gifts and with them and treat them well to soften their hearts towards Islam, so long as they have not carried out any hostile actions against the Muslims, which would disallow that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, vol. 10, p. 30

There is one category of zakaah that may be given to the kuffaar, which is “to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)” (cf. al-Tawbah 9:60). It is permissible to give zakaah funds to those kaafirs who hold positions of authority and influence among their people, if there is the hope that by giving them something they may become Muslims, then those who are under them may become Muslim too. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ZAKAT?

There are eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat. They have been specified in the Noble Qur'an what can be translated as, "Alms are for the poor, the needy, the employees who administer the funds, those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to the Truth, those in bondage, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the wayfarer, (thus it is) ordained by Allah, and Allah is most knowledgeable, most wise." [Surah At-Tawbah (9:60)]

Based on this verse, the ways of spending Zakat funds can be classified as follows:

1. For the poor (Fuqara') who do not have enough to take care of their basic needs.

2. For the needy (Masakeen) whose basic needs are met but their income does not take care of other important needs.

3. For those whose sole job is to collect and distribute the Zakat funds.

4. For those who are close to accepting Islam as a religion, and those non-Muslims whose evil can be avoided if they receive money.
. . .
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ZAKAT?

There are categories of people who are not eligible to receive Zakat. They include:

1. the rich who have enough to support themselves

2. the healthy person who is capable of working and earning his living, unless he cannot find a job or his job does not provide him with enough money to support himself and his family. About these two categories, the Prophet (SAW) said: "Alms are not to be given to the rich or to the well-built.” [An authentic Hadith reported by Imam Abu Dawood] The term "well-built” conveys the meaning that he is able to work and support himself.

In addition, Zakat cannot be paid to:

3. one's dependents whom he is responsible for supporting. These include the wife, the parents, grandparents (up to the eldest living grand grandparent), children, and grandchildren (down to the last born grand grandchild).

Finally, Zakat cannot be paid to:

4. a non-Muslim, unless this person belongs to category No. 4 of those eligible to receive Zakat (see previous section).

Question:

Imam of our Masjid has given Fatwa that Zakat can be given to non muslims. They give reference to the Ayah in Qur'an that it does not prohibit in detail giving zakat to nonmuslims. Can you please give your response.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

At the outset, you must understand that not all the commands are expressly mentioned in the Quraan. There are many instances where Allah would indicate a command and not elaborate. For example, lets take the command of Salaah. Allah only states "Perform your Salaah and discharge your Zakaat". Where in the Quraan do we find the explanation of how many Rakaats to perform for Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Esha? Where in the Quraan does Allah mention the minimum amount on which Zakaat has to be discharged?

Surely, these are not mentioned in the Quraan. These are explained in detail by our beloved Rasulullah ( صلى الله عليه و سلّم ) in his Ahadith. Do not become fooled by those who only claim to follow the rulings of the Quraan and ignore the Ahadith. The Quraan and Hadith are inseparable and one can never be guided if he/she ignores any one.

You state that the Imaam has referred to an Ayah of the Quraan that states it is permissible to give Zakaat (obligatory) to non Muslims. You may ask him to forward that Ayah to us. We have not come across any such Ayah. Furthermore, the Fuqahaa are express in their works that it is not permissible to give Zakaat to non Muslims.

Therefore, you should not become deceived by people who claim to only follow the Quraan. There is no need to discuss this issue in detail as any person with sound academic background would know this. If the Imaam is sincere he may contact us directly and we would engage with him on an academic level after coming to know his qualifications. We do not wish to discuss issues with someone whom we do not know as sometimes this is time consuming and a futile exercise.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Muhammed Zakariyya Desai,

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Emraan Vawda

Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

THE EIGHT CATEGORIES OF RECIPIENTS

h8.7 It is obligatory to distribute one's zakat among eight categories of recipients (O: meaning that zakat goes to none besides them), one-eighth of the zakat to each category.
. . .
THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE TO BE RECONCILED

h8.14 - The fourth category is those whose hearts are to be reconciled. If they are non-Muslims, they are not given zakat, but if Muslims, then they may be given it (O: so that their certainly may increase, or if they are recent converts to Islam and are alienated from their kin).
. . .

h8.24 - It is not permissible to give zakat to a non-Muslim, or to someone whom one is obliged to support (def: m12.1), such as a wife or family member.

The most honorable form of jihad nowadays is fighting for the liberation of Muslim land from the domination of unbelievers, regardless of their religion or ideology. The communist and the capitalist, the Westerner and the Easterner, Christian, Jew, pagan or unbeliever, all are aggressors when they attack and occupy Muslim land. Fighting in defence of the home of Islam is obligatory until the enemy is driven away and Muslims are liberated.
. . .

Today Muslim land is occupied in Palestine, Kashmire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Chad, Somalia, Cyprus, Samarqand, Bukhara, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Albania and serveral other occupied countries. Declaring holy war to save these Muslim lands is an Islamic duty, and fighting for such purposes in those occupied territories is the Way of Allah for which zakat must be spent.
. . .

The most important form of jihad today is serious, purposefully organized work to rebuild Islamic society and state and to implement the Islamic way of life in the political, cultural and economic domains. This is certainly most deserving of zakat.

Question:

As-salamu `alaykum.Is a Muslim allowed to spend some of the money of Zakah (obligatory charity) on his journey to take part in Jihad in the Cause of Allah?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum as-salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

First of all, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts meet your expectations.

It is the duty of every Muslim to support all his fellow Muslims in all times especially at times of calamities as all Muslims constitute one body when an organ of it aches, all the other organs feel ill as a result. In his Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: "A Muslim is a brother of a Muslim. He must not wrong him, nor fail him, nor hand him over (to enemies)." Muslim scholars state that there is nothing wrong in paying the Zakah as well as sadaqah to oppressed Muslims in Iraq, Palestine, Kashmir, Burma and in every part of the world.

In his response to the question, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the prominent Muslim scholar, states the following:

The meaning of Jihad in our present time particularly refers to striving to liberate Muslim lands from the grip of the disbelievers who usurped them and imposed on them their own laws in lieu of the Divine Law. Those disbelievers may be Jews, Christians or both or even pagans, who follow no particular religion at all. Disbelievers are all alike.

Capitalists, Communists, Westerners, Easterners, People of the Book and pagans are by no means different from one other. They should all be fiercely fought if they attempt to occupy any part of the Muslim land. This duty falls on those closest to the occupied land, who should be aided by those closest to them, who, in turn, ought to be aided by those closest to them, till it becomes incumbent on all Muslims to take part in Jihad.

Muslims have never been more severely afflicted than they are nowadays. Many of their lands have been captured by the disbelievers, on top of which is Palestine that has fallen victim to corrupt Jews. Similarly, Kashmir has been dominated by pagan Hindus. Chechnya and other Islamic states have fallen in the grip of pagan tyrannical communism.

Retrieving these lands, freeing them from the clutches of atheists and their twisted laws is the joint responsibility of all Muslims. Declaring Jihad to save our land is an Islamic obligation.

If war is waged anywhere to achieve this goal, namely to free the occupied lands of the laws and the tyranny of disbelievers, it is undoubtedly a case of Jihad for the sake of Allah. It thus needs to be financed from the money of Zakah, the amount of which is to be decided based on the total sum of the charity, the requirements of Jihad as well as the degree of the need of other potential recipients of charity. This is all to be decided by reliable scholars, if they are to be found.

Allah Almighty knows best.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ZAKAT?

There are eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat. They have been specified in the Noble Qur'an what can be translated as, "Alms are for the poor, the needy, the employees who administer the funds, those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to the Truth, those in bondage, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the wayfarer, (thus it is) ordained by Allah, and Allah is most knowledgeable, most wise." [Surah At-Tawbah (9:60)]

Based on this verse, the ways of spending Zakat funds can be classified as follows:
. . .

7. In the cause of Allah (SWT): the scholars have said that what is meant here is that Zakat can be given to those who volunteer to fight in the cause of Allah (SWT) and do not receive a fixed salary from the government.

THE EIGHT CATEGORIES OF RECIPIENTS

h8.7 - It is obligatory to distribute one's zakat among eight categories of recipients (O: meaning that zakat goes to none besides them), one-eighth of the zakat to each category. (n: In the Hanafi school, it is valid for the giver to distribute his zakat to all of the categories, some of them, or to confine himself to just one of them (al-Lubab fi sharh al-Kitab(y88), 1.155).)
. . .
THOSE FIGHTING FOR ALLAH

h8.17 - The seventh category is those fighting for Allah, meaning people engaged in Islamic military operations for whom no salary has been allotted in the army roster (O: but who are volunteers for jihad without remuneration). They are given enough to suffice them for the operation, even if affluent; of weapons, mounts, clothing, and expenses (O: for the duration of the journey, round trip, and the time they spend there, even if prolonged. Though nothing has been mentioned here of the expense involved in supporting such people's families during this period, it seems clear that they should also be given it).

25.1 Its Ruling

It is obligatory to pay zakat on money, crops and livestock.

[Money consists gold and silver and is mentioned in respect to the tradition. What is mentioned of gold and silver is called "specie" ('ayn) by its honour. Crops consists of food groups used for life in general. Livestock refers to camels, cattle, and sheep and goats.

Zakat became an obligation in the second year of Hijra. The evidence for its obligatory nature is the Book, Sunna and consensus. Whoever disputes its obligatory nature is an unbeliever. If someone affirms that it is obligatory but refuses to pay it, he is beaten and it is taken from him by force and that is enough: he is not an unbeliever. Ibn Habib says he is an unbeliever, but this is unlikely.

The Messenger of Allah (S) says, “O ‘Ali! There are ten deniers of Almighty Allah in this Ummah; Tale-tellers, the magicians, the gigolos, those who have anal intercourse with non-mahram women, those who have intercourse with animals, those who commit incest, those who try to spread mischief, those who supply weapons to disbelievers (which shall be used against Muslims), those who do not pay Zakat and those who in spite of being capable do not perform Hajj and meet their death.”

“Doubtlessly, the Almighty Allah has necessitated a portion for the destitute in the wealth of the rich people. It is such an obligation that is praised if fulfilled by the affluent people. It is Zakat and one who pays it, his blood is Harām. (i.e. it is Harām to kill him). And those who pay it are called Muslims.^[2]

...
One who avoids paying Zakat equal to one carat (four grains of barley) is neither a believer nor a Muslim. He is the same whose condition at the time of death is mentioned by Allah that he shall say, “Send me back my Lord, send me back, haply (sic) I may do good in that which I left.
...
One who does not pay Zakat even if it is equal to one carat, he is expelled from belief and dies as a Jew or a Christian.
...
Death penalty is permissible in Islam for two kinds of sinners. And no one will issue a decree regarding the two until the advent of the Qaem of the progeny of Mohammed. Then Imam Mahdi will issue decree on the basis of divine laws. One of the two is the adulterer who fornicated despite having a wife. He shall be stoned to death. The second is the one who does not pay Zakat. He shall be beheaded.
...

Monetary loss in desert or seas is only due to the non payment of Zakat. And when the Qaem of the progeny of Mohammed reappears he shall arrest and execute those who do not pay Zakat.