Is it permissible to give zakah to those who work?

The questioner : Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. May Allah welcome you, O Shaykh. Giving a portion of the zakah to these workers scattered across the land—the barber, the tailor, the builder, and others—is it permissible or not permissible? Giving the zakah to them? You mean giving the zakah to them?

The Shaykh : The zakah to them, yes. If they are poor Muslims, there is nothing wrong with giving the zakah to them.

The questioner : As for the prayer, I do not know if they pray or do not pray.

The Shaykh : The default, the default for a Muslim is that he prays. Unless you know that this specific person does not pray.

The questioner : I do not know, I do not know about them.

The Shaykh : If you do not know, then give to him.

The questioner : And Allah knows best about him, I say.

The Shaykh : I say, if you do not know about him and it is more likely in your mind that he is poor, then give to him.

The questioner : He, and the poor person means you do not bring him here to require burden, and Allah knows best.

The Shaykh : If you are in doubt about this, then give to one in whom you have no doubt.

The questioner : Praise be to Allah.

The Shaykh : Yes.