Who Is Eligible for Zakat? 8 Categories and Who Is Excluded (2026)

The answer to who can receive Zakat is not decided by people but directly by the Qur’an: the eight categories listed in verse 60 of Surah at-Tawbah.

In practice, though, the questions multiply: Can I give to my brother? My mother? A family abroad? A charity? In this article we answer them all in light of the views of Diyanet (Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs).

Surah at-Tawbah, Verse 60: Where Zakat Is to Be Given

Allah the Exalted Himself determined how Zakat is distributed. The meaning of verse 60 of Surah at-Tawbah, in summary, is:

“Alms (Zakat) are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect them, those whose hearts are to be reconciled to Islam, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah and for the traveller — an obligation from Allah.” (at-Tawbah 9/60)

You can read the commentary on this verse in Diyanet’s Kur’an Yolu Tefsiri.

The 8 Categories Eligible for Zakat

1. The poor (fuqara)

People who, apart from their basic needs, do not own wealth reaching the nisab.

They may have a job or even a small income, but their savings are not at the level at which Zakat becomes due.

2. The destitute (masakin)

People in an even harder situation than the poor, who have nothing at all and cannot meet their basic needs.

Many families in areas of war, drought and famine belong to this group.

3. Officials appointed to collect Zakat (amilun)

According to the High Council of Religious Affairs, these are officials appointed by a Muslim state administration to collect Zakat.

Individuals not appointed by the state and civil society organisations do not fall into this category.

4. Those whose hearts are to be reconciled to Islam (mu’allafat al-qulub)

Whether this category, applied in the time of the Prophet, still continues today is debated. If it is applied, this is accepted as being at the discretion of state authorities.

5. Slaves seeking to gain their freedom

Slaves who have made an agreement to buy their freedom. Today there is no application of this in the classical sense.

6. Those in debt

People who have debts and who, after paying them, are left without wealth reaching the nisab.

Those who have borrowed for extravagance or for something forbidden (haram) are not included.

7. Those in the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah)

According to Diyanet, this expression covers those who wish to go with the army but lack the means; some also include those who become poor on the way to Hajj.

The Council states clearly that institutions such as schools, Qur’an courses and mosques do not fall within this scope.

8. Stranded travellers (ibn al-sabil)

A person who, even if wealthy at home, has run out of money while travelling and cannot access their wealth.

They may be given enough Zakat to meet their needs. Today, people uprooted from their homeland by war and disasters may also be considered poor or stranded travellers, depending on their need.

Who Cannot Receive Zakat?

For Zakat to be valid, it must not be given to certain people. According to the Hanafi view that Diyanet follows:

You help your parents and children without the intention of Zakat, as maintenance and kindness.

The Hanafi school holds a negative view on giving Zakat to non-Muslims; they can be helped with Sadaqah.

What Can Zakat Not Be Spent On? The Condition of Transfer of Ownership (Tamlik)

For Zakat to be valid, it must be given as property to a real person in need (tamlik).

According to the High Council of Religious Affairs, Zakat and Fitrah cannot be spent on charitable works such as mosques, bridges, roads, schools, dormitories, fountains or water wells.

So give your Zakat as a Zakat donation. Support projects such as water wells or mosques and lasting works with your voluntary donations other than Zakat, that is, as Sadaqah Jariyah.

Can Zakat Be Given to People in Need Abroad?

What matters in Zakat is not geography but whether the recipient is eligible to receive Zakat.

In classical fiqh, the principle is to give Zakat to the poor of the place where the wealth is. However, sending it elsewhere to people in greater need or to needy relatives has been considered permissible.

For someone living in Austria, this means:

• You can give Zakat to a genuinely needy family you know in Vienna or Innsbruck.
• You can give it to your needy brother, aunt or uncle in Türkiye.
• You can deliver it through an organisation to families in Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan or Africa who cannot meet their basic needs.

You can see which countries we work in on the countries we work in page. For the emergency in Palestine, you can also read our guide to donating to Palestine from Austria.

Zakat Through an Organisation: How Does Proxy (Wakalah) Work?

According to the High Council of Religious Affairs, Zakat can be given to those entitled directly or delivered through an intermediary (proxy).

It makes no difference whether the intermediary is a person or an organisation, as long as they deliver the Zakat to those specified in the Qur’an.

Intention when appointing a proxy

For Zakat to be valid, it is enough to give it with the intention of Zakat; the intention is made at the time of payment or when you set the money aside for Zakat.

In an online donation, choosing the “Zakat” project clearly expresses your intention and the proxy you give the organisation.

How do you choose a trustworthy organisation?

• Is it an officially registered charity, with a clearly stated address and contact details?
• Does it accept Zakat as a separate project?
• Is payment made through a secure system, and is a receipt issued?
• Are its areas of work and its board transparent?

For more criteria, see our article on choosing a trustworthy aid organisation.

Austria Yetim Eli is a charity registered in Innsbruck; you can learn more about our organisation and our board.

Who Can Receive Zakat? Example Scenarios

The following scenarios are meant to show how to apply the rulings in everyday life:

• Example 1: You live in Linz; your sister in Türkiye has lost her husband and has no income. Since your sister is neither an ascendant nor a descendant, you can give her Zakat.
• Example 2: Your mother in Salzburg has a low income. Zakat is not given to a mother; you help her as maintenance and kindness.
• Example 3: An acquaintance in Vienna is struggling because of rent arrears and has no other savings. As they fall into the category of those in debt, Zakat can be given.
• Example 4: A mosque is being built in your village and you want to give your Zakat to it. According to Diyanet, this does not count as Zakat; support the mosque with Sadaqah.
• Example 5: You want to reach families in Yemen who are struggling with hunger. By appointing an organisation you trust as your proxy, you can deliver your Zakat.

Mind the Etiquette When Giving Zakat

The Qur’an advises not to nullify charity by reminders of generosity and by causing hurt (al-Baqarah 2/264).

Zakat is not a favour but the right of the person in need. Therefore:

• Protect the dignity of the recipient and do not embarrass them in front of others.
• You do not have to say that it is Zakat; your intention is enough.
• Give from the best of your wealth, and do not delay.

Order of Priority When Deciding Whom to Give Zakat To

Scholars state that it is more virtuous to give Zakat primarily to the following people:

1. close relatives in need (siblings, uncles, aunts, etc.),
2. neighbours and acquaintances in need,
3. those in the most severe need (areas of famine, war and disaster).

You can also divide your Zakat: part to your relatives and part through an organisation to distant regions.

If you do not yet know your amount, first calculate it with our guide to calculating Zakat in euros. For the basic rulings of Zakat, see our article what is Zakat.

Sources: High Council of Religious Affairs — Who can receive Zakat? · High Council of Religious Affairs — Zakat to civil society organisations · High Council of Religious Affairs — Zakat for water wells · Kur’an Yolu Tefsiri — at-Tawbah 9/60