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As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

as saalmwoalaikum

dear i would like to know about zakath, whom can zakath be paid and whom shouldnt why does syed doesnt come under zakath bracket i mean why cant we pay  zakth to them,,,, i know 2 people who i feel are the needy i would further require u r assistance in view of quran as who is most deserving among the two

1-a near by relative of mine who is a patient has aproblem with his heart who needs to undergo angioplast which would cost any where b/w 1-1.2lakhs indian rupees he has arranged half the amount and he is aged 34 yrs married with 3 childrens no means of earning as he cant work due to his ill health

2-is my cousin brother who is working with his father they have huge debt left with them they are hardly making there livelihood with what they earn dependents are more than the earners but in this case they have there own house which makes me go a step behind with them but they have a sister whois yet to marry with there income its impossible for them to marry her and mycousin brother but allah is really great i have true hope he will surely open the doors for eveery body

there are other people who come regurarly every year expecting something do replay eagerly waiting for ur replay 

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Answer:

Who are eligible to receive zakah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: ,,,,whom can zakath be paid and whom shouldnt

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 60:

60 Alms are for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth), for those in bondage and in debt, in the Cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Allah Subhanah has prescribed that ‘zakah’ should be paid to any of the above eight listed categories:

1. To the poor
2. To the needy
3. To those who are employed to administer the zakah funds
4. To those whose hearts have recently been reconciled to the Truth of Islam (new-muslims)
5. For those in bondage
6. For those in debt
7. In the Cause of Allah
8. To the way-farer or traveler

Allah Subhanah has Commanded and Guided the believers that ‘Zakah’ must be distributed to any of the above absolutely vast eight categories only; for all other categories, one may help them through voluntary and supererogatory charity or ‘sadaqah’ but not through ‘Zakah’ funds.

Your Question: …..why does syed doesnt come under zakath bracket i mean why cant we pay  zakth to them,,,,

The literal meaning of the Arabic term ‘Syed’ is a ‘leader’, and is used in colloquial Arabic as a term for respect like ‘Mr.’ or ‘Sir’ in the English language.

There is no particular sect or family which is known as ‘Syeds’. This ‘Syed’ term for some reason has become synonymous in the Indo-Pak region to mean a descendant of the Noble Messenger of Allah (saws) and is most probably derived from the early Arab settlers who came to the Indo-Pak region and were called ‘Syeds’ in respect of their Arab heritage and lineage by the local population.

There are a lot of people in the Indian Subcontinent who call themselves ‘Syeds’ and connote that they are descendants of the Messenger of Allah (saws). They may or may not be the direct descendants of the Prophet (saws) or from the Banu Hashim, and Allah Subhanah Alone knows best.

The descendants of the Noble Prophet of Allah (saws) are better known as the Banu-Hashim or the Hashimites, and it would not be lawful for them to accept ‘sadaqah’ or ‘zakah’ funds.

The Prophet (saws) declared: "Indeed, Sadaqah ought not to be given to the family of Muhammad ..."

Related by Muslim.

Abu Hurairah reported that when the Prophet’s (saws) grandson, al-Hasan bin Ali (r.a.) took one date from the Sadaqah dates, the Prophet (saws) said to him: "Nay, spit it out! Don't you know that we (the family of Mohammed (saws)) cannot eat from charity?"

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.750 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Whenever a meal was brought to Allah's Messenger (saws), he would ask whether it was a gift or ‘Sadaqa’ (something given in charity). If he (saws) was told that it was from ‘Sadaqah’, he (saws) would tell his companions to eat it, but if it was a gift, he (saws) would hurry to share it with them.

Your Question: ……i mean why cant we pay  zakth to them,,,,

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 12 Surah Yusuf verse 104:

104 And no reward dost thou (O Prophet (saws)) ask of them for this (Message): it is no less than a Message for all creatures.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah Furqaan verses 56-57:

56 But thee (O Prophet (saws)) We only sent to give glad tidings and admonition.

57 Say: "No reward do I ask of you for it but this: that each one who wills may take a (Straight) Path to his Lord."

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 34 Surah Saba verse 47:

47 Say (O Prophet (saws)): "No reward do I ask of you: it is (all) in your interest: my reward is only due from Allah: and He is Witness to all things."

The Messenger of Allah (saws) sought absolutely no material or worldly reward for his untiring efforts and constant striving for inviting mankind to the Truth of Al-Islam! Such was the sublime character and unequalled integrity of the Noble Prophet of Allah (saws), that not only did he (saws) forbid ‘sadaqah’ for himself and his immediate family, but the Prophet (saws) forbade his whole tribe of ‘Banu Hashim’ from ever accepting anything from ‘sadaqah’ or ‘zakah’, lest those who chose not to believe ever even imagined that the ‘mission’ of the Prophet (saws) was to obtain or collect worldly gains for himself or his family!

Your Question: …..i know 2 people who i feel are the needy i would further require u r assistance in view of quran as who is most deserving among the two

Although it is permissible for one to spend from their ‘zakah’ dues on any of the above listed eight categories of eligible recipients, the Messenger of Allah (saws) said that if one gives their ‘zakah’ and/or ‘sadaqah’ dues unto their own near/far relatives, they would be entitled to receive a double reward for their charity.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "Charity for the poor is rewarded as one good deed; but in the case of a relative it is considered as two: [one reward for helping] blood ties, and [the other reward for] the charity [itself]."

Related by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, and at-Tirmidhi.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan