The Qur’an specifies exactly eight categories of people who may receive Zakat. The list comes from Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60 — and it is binding. A charity that claims to distribute Zakat must distribute it within these eight categories alone. Here are the eight, what each one means, and how DHT applies the verse in the field.
“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller — an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
— Qur’an 9:60
1. Al-Fuqara’ — the Poor
The fuqara’ are those who have very little — some income or possessions, but nowhere near enough to meet their needs. They are visible in every village DHT serves: families who eat one meal a day, mothers who walk hours for water, fathers whose work covers rent but not school fees.
Zakat to this category typically supports food, basic clothing, school costs, and rent.
2. Al-Masakin — the Destitute
The masakin are those in deeper poverty than the fuqara’ — they have nothing, or essentially nothing. They are people unable to meet even their most basic survival needs.
Zakat to this category is the rawest form of relief: food, shelter, immediate medical care.
3. Al-‘Amilin Alayha — the Administrators of Zakat
This category covers those employed by an Islamic authority to collect and distribute Zakat. In a traditional Islamic state, this was the salaried collector.
Most UK scholars hold that modern Muslim charities do not fall into this category — the verse refers specifically to a state-appointed body. This is the basis of DHT’s strict 100% Zakat policy: none of your Zakat is used for our admin or salaries. Operations are covered separately by Lillah and Gift Aid.
4. Al-Mu’allafati Qulubuhum — Those Whose Hearts are to be Reconciled
This category historically included new Muslims whose faith was fragile, or non-Muslims whose hearts were inclined towards Islam. Scholars differ on whether this category is still active today; some say it lapsed after the time of the early caliphs, others say it remains.
DHT does not currently allocate Zakat to this category to avoid scholarly difference; we focus on the categories on which there is full consensus.
5. Fir-Riqab — Freeing Captives
Historically this referred to freeing slaves from bondage. The category is largely interpreted today as covering:
- Freeing those held in modern slavery and human trafficking
- Paying ransom for those held captive in conflict
- Some scholars include paying off the debts of those held in debtors’ prison
6. Al-Gharimin — Those in Debt
The gharimin are those who have fallen into debt that they cannot repay through their own means — often as a result of:
- Medical emergencies
- Funeral costs
- Failed businesses, especially small-scale ones
- Marriage costs (in cultures where this is a significant burden)
The debt must have been incurred in lawful circumstances. DHT’s vocational programmes and emergency relief work often fall within this category.
7. Fi Sabilillah — In the Cause of Allah
Classical interpretation focused this category on those defending the Muslim community. Contemporary scholars have expanded the interpretation to include any work that supports the practice and propagation of Islam: building masjids, training imams, religious education, da’wah programmes, and Islamic schools.
This is the basis on which DHT’s madrassah and masjid programmes accept Zakat.
8. Ibn al-Sabil — the Stranded Traveller
This category covers travellers stranded away from home without sufficient resources — even if they are wealthy in their own country. In the modern context, this includes:
- Refugees and displaced persons
- Migrants who arrive without means
- Travellers stranded by emergency, illness, or theft
A substantial portion of DHT’s emergency relief in Yemen, Gaza, and conflict zones is delivered to ibn al-sabil recipients.
Categories DHT actively serves
To keep our 100% Zakat policy clear, DHT distributes Zakat into five of the eight categories:
- The poor (al-fuqara’)
- The destitute (al-masakin)
- The debt-stricken (al-gharimin)
- In the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah) — through our madrassah and masjid programmes
- The stranded traveller (ibn al-sabil) — through emergency relief
We do not allocate Zakat to the administrators’ category (covered by Lillah), nor to the ‘reconciling hearts’ category (scholarly difference), nor to the captives category (no current programmes).
Pay your Zakat with confidence
Strict adherence to the eight Quranic categories. 100% policy — every penny reaches a Zakat-eligible recipient.
A note on intention
When paying Zakat, you must make the niyyah (intention) that the payment is Zakat. This can be a silent intention in the heart at the moment of payment — no verbal declaration is required. If you forget to make the intention at the moment, scholars allow you to renew the intention when the Zakat is still in transit and has not yet reached the recipient.
The eight categories are tight, specific, and intentional — the Qur’an leaves no room for ambiguity. A charity that honours them is honouring Allah’s direct instruction. Choose one that does.
