Giving Zakaat to One's Servant

23-7-2000 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can I give my Zakah to my servant he is very poor?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

The Money of Zakaat should be given to the eight categories of people who are mentioned in the Quran. Allah Says (what means): {Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.} [Quran 9:60]

Giving Zakaat to servants and drivers is permissible provided they are Muslims and poor or needy; meaning their salaries are not enough to meet the needs of those persons for whom they are responsible and obliged to spend on.

One should not give the money of Zakaat to them to get or bring any advantage for his work. It is prohibited to give the money of Zakaat and expiations to non-Muslims.

Allah knows best.

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