The Ruling on Giving Zakah to the People of Innovation

The questioner : The questioner asks: Is it permissible to give zakah to the sects of innovators?

The Shaykh : In reality, bid'ah (religious innovations) are divided into two categories. There are bid'ah that constitute kufr (disbelief), which cause a person to exit Islam. It is not permissible to give zakah to one who holds such beliefs. For example, one who believes that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) speaks, answers the du'a' (supplication) of whoever calls upon him, or seeks aid from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Or one who believes that Allah is in every place by His essence, or denies the exaltation of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) above His creation, and similar innovations.
Therefore, it is not permissible to give zakah to the innovator of such bid'ah. As for bid'ah that are less than that, and which do not lead their holder to kufr (disbelief), then their holder is among the Muslims. It is permissible to give him from the zakah if he is among the eight categories mentioned by Allah the Exalted in His Book.