His second question asks: Is it a condition that wealth zakah be distributed to needy Muslims, or is it permissible to give it to non-Muslims as well? Also, if it is obligatory for needy Muslims only, is it a condition that they be among those who establish the rites of Allah?
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The questioner : His second question asks: Is it a condition that wealth zakah be distributed to needy Muslims, or is it permissible to give it to non-Muslims as well? Also, if it is obligatory for needy Muslims only, is it a condition that they be among those who establish the rites of Allah, given that we are in a time when, unfortunately, there are many Muslims who do not pray and do not establish most acts of worship? Is there a specific condition required for those to whom zakah is obligatory?
The Shaykh : As for the disbeliever, zakah is not paid to him except in the case of those whose hearts are to be reconciled. Among the disbelievers who are included in the category of those whose hearts are to be reconciled, it is permissible to pay them zakah. As for the open sinner among the Muslims, it is permissible to pay him zakah, but it is more appropriate to direct it to one who is more upright in the religion of Allah. As for the Muslim who does not pray, the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever and an apostate, and it is not permissible to direct zakah to him, because abandoning prayer is disbelief that expels one from the religion. Therefore, he is not qualified for zakah unless he repents and returns to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and prays, in which case zakah will be paid to him. It is not appropriate to pay zakah to one who uses it to aid in the sins of Allah, such as giving this person zakah so that he buys prohibited tools to help him in the prohibited act, or buys tobacco to smoke, or the like. This is not appropriate for us to pay him, because by doing so, we would be aiding him in sin and transgression. And Allah the Exalted says:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] Yes.
The questioner : So there are no specific conditions for those who are entitled to zakah?
The Shaykh : There is the condition of Islam and the condition of possessing the qualification for entitlement.
The questioner : Need, yes.
The Shaykh : By qualification, the eight known categories.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the disbeliever, zakah is not paid to him except in the case of those whose hearts are to be reconciled. Among the disbelievers who are included in the category of those whose hearts are to be reconciled, it is permissible to pay them zakah. As for the open sinner among the Muslims, it is permissible to pay him zakah, but it is more appropriate to direct it to one who is more upright in the religion of Allah. As for the Muslim who does not pray, the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever and an apostate, and it is not permissible to direct zakah to him, because abandoning prayer is disbelief that expels one from the religion. Therefore, he is not qualified for zakah unless he repents and returns to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and prays, in which case zakah will be paid to him. It is not appropriate to pay zakah to one who uses it to aid in the sins of Allah, such as giving this person zakah so that he buys prohibited tools to help him in the prohibited act, or buys tobacco to smoke, or the like. This is not appropriate for us to pay him, because by doing so, we would be aiding him in sin and transgression. And Allah the Exalted says:
but do not cooperate in sin and aggression
وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِThe questioner : So there are no specific conditions for those who are entitled to zakah?
The Shaykh : There is the condition of Islam and the condition of possessing the qualification for entitlement.
The questioner : Need, yes.
The Shaykh : By qualification, the eight known categories.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.