The Masaarif of Zakaah

Q. What is meant by Masaarif of zakaah?

A. The people to whom zakaah is allowed to be given are called masaarif. Masaarif is the plural of Masraf. The masaarif of zakaah are those people to whom zakaah may be given.

Q. What are the masaarif of zakaah?

A. In these days, masaarif of zakaah are:

• Faqeer: a person having little belongings but not to the amount of nisaab;
• Miskeen: the person who himself owns nothing;
• Debtor: a person whose debt exceeds his belongings to the amount of nisaab;
• A traveller: who has run short of money while in journey.

Q. Is it permitted to give zakaah to the Islamic schools?

A. Yes, it is permitted to give zakaah to the students and to the managers of the schools for spending on students. There is no harm in it.

Q. To whom is it not allowed to give zakaah?

A. The persons to whom the giving of zakaah is forbidden are:

• Wealthy person: having property above nisaab;
• Sayyid and Banu Haashim;
• Parents, grandparents, ancestors;
• Children, grandchildren, descendants;
• Husband or wife;
• Kaafir;
• Minor child to a wealthy person.

Q. On what things can the zakaah not be spent?

A. On things which do not make the deserving person the owner and master of the zakaah. For example: funeral of the dead, paying off the debt of a dead person, or mosque/water supply construction.

Q. Is it permissible to give zakaah to a person who owns a house?

A. Yes, if it is his necessary requirement. But if he owns extra property over nisaab, then it is not allowed.

Q. Will zakaah be considered as paid if given mistakenly?

A. Yes, it is considered as paid. It is not necessary to pay it again.

Q. What are the people to whom giving of zakaah is best?

A. First to one’s own relatives who are needy, then neighbors or city residents, and finally students of religion where it benefits the religion.