Who can receive zakat? The eight categories

The eight categories

• The poor (al-fuqara), who have little or no income
• The needy (al-masakin), who cannot meet their basic needs
• Those employed to administer and distribute zakat
• Those whose hearts are to be reconciled
• Those in bondage or captivity
• Those in overwhelming debt
• In the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah)
• The stranded traveller

Who cannot receive zakat

Zakat cannot be paid to your parents, grandparents, children or grandchildren, or to a spouse, since supporting them is already your responsibility. It also cannot fund construction of buildings such as mosques or offices, or cover an organisation's general running costs beyond legitimate administration of the zakat itself.

How we handle your zakat

Zakat donations are held in a separate restricted fund and spent only on programmes that reach eligible recipients: food, cash support, orphan households, medical care and emergency relief for the destitute. Wells, buildings and awareness work are funded from Sadaqah instead.

Can I give zakat to family?

Yes, to relatives you are not financially responsible for, such as a struggling sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. Not to parents, children or a spouse.

Can zakat build a mosque or a school?

The majority position is no, because zakat must transfer ownership to an eligible person. Fund those from Sadaqah.