Who Can Receive Zakat? The 8 Categories Explained
Written by Humanity Increased
Islamic content reviewed by: Azhar Azeez
Last reviewed: 2026
Zakat is not the same as a regular donation.
Allah has told us who can receive it.
The eight groups are named in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60.
Knowing these groups can help you give your Zakat with more care.
What Are the 8 Categories of Zakat?
The eight groups are:
- The poor
- The needy
- Those who work with Zakat
- Those whose hearts are being brought closer
- Those in bondage
- People in debt
- In the cause of Allah
- A traveler in need
Let’s look at each one.
1. The Poor — Al-Fuqara
The first group is people who are poor.
They do not have enough money or resources to meet their basic needs.
This may include people who cannot afford enough food, safe housing, clothing, healthcare, or other daily needs.
A person does not have to be homeless to be poor.
A family may have a home but still not have enough money to feed their children or pay for medicine.
2. The Needy — Al-Masakin
The second group is people in need.
The terms “poor” and “needy” are close in meaning, and scholars have explained the difference in different ways.
The main point is simple.
Zakat can help people who do not have enough to meet their basic needs.
This is why Zakat is so important during war, displacement, hunger, and other crises.
3. Those Who Work With Zakat — Al-Amilin Alayha
The Qur’an also names people who work to collect and manage Zakat.
This is often called the amil category.
Handling Zakat takes work.
People may need to:
- Check who qualifies
- Keep records
- Collect funds
- Send funds
- Follow projects
- Make sure aid reaches the right people
- Report how Zakat was used
The Qur’an recognizes this work as one of the categories of Zakat.
4. Those Whose Hearts Are Being Brought Closer — Al-Mu’allafati Qulubuhum
This category is sometimes called “those whose hearts are being brought closer.”
There are different scholarly discussions about how this category should be used today.
Because of that, it is best to ask a qualified scholar if you have a question about a specific case.
5. Freeing People From Bondage — Ar-Riqab
The Qur’an includes freeing people from bondage as a use of Zakat.
Historically, this included freeing people from slavery.
Scholars may discuss how this category applies in the modern world.
For a specific situation, speak with a trusted scholar.
6. People in Debt — Al-Gharimin
A person who has serious debt may be able to receive Zakat.
But this does not mean every person with a credit card bill qualifies.
The person’s financial situation and the reason for the debt matter.
For example, someone may have fallen into debt because of:
- Medical costs
- Loss of work
- Family needs
- An emergency
- Other necessary expenses
The case should be looked at carefully.
7. In the Cause of Allah — Fi Sabilillah
The seventh category is fi sabilillah, which means “in the cause of Allah.”
Scholars have different views about how broad this category is and what types of work can be included.
Because of those differences, charities should follow a clear Zakat policy and trusted Islamic guidance when using this category.
8. The Traveler in Need — Ibn Al-Sabil
A traveler may have money at home but become stuck while away.
Maybe the traveler loses access to money.
Maybe there is an emergency.
Maybe the person cannot safely return home.
A traveler in this type of need may qualify for Zakat.
If you still need to work out how much you owe, read our guide on how to calculate Zakat.
Can Orphans Receive Zakat?
Yes, an orphan may receive Zakat. Learn more about when an orphan can receive Zakat.
But being an orphan alone does not automatically make a child eligible.
The child must also fit one of the Zakat categories.
For example, an orphan who is poor or in need may qualify.
This is why a charity should check the child’s situation before using Zakat funds.
Can Widows Receive Zakat?
A widow may also receive Zakat if she qualifies.
Being a widow by itself does not automatically make someone eligible.
If she is poor, in need, in serious debt, or falls into another Zakat category, she may qualify.
The same rule applies to refugees and displaced families.
Their needs should be checked.
Can Zakat Help People During an Emergency?
It can, if the person receiving the help qualifies for Zakat.
After a war, flood, earthquake, or other emergency, families may lose their homes, food, income, or belongings.
Many of these families may become poor or needy.
Zakat can then be an important way to help them.
How Humanity Increased Uses Zakat
Humanity Increased provides humanitarian help to people facing poverty, displacement, disasters, conflict, and other hardships.
Our work includes food, clean water, orphan care, widow support, refugee help, emergency aid, and long-term programs.
When Zakat is used, we believe it should be handled with care.
The question is not only:
“Is this a good project?”
We also need to ask:
“Does this person or family qualify to receive Zakat?”
That difference matters.
How Do I Know if Someone Qualifies?
Sometimes the answer is simple.
Other times it is not.
A person’s income, debt, savings, family needs, and living conditions may all matter.
You can also learn which family members may receive Zakat.
If you are unsure about giving Zakat directly to someone, speak with a trusted scholar.
If you give through a charity, ask how the charity checks Zakat eligibility.
You have every right to ask.
Give Zakat With Care
Zakat is an amanah — a trust.
Allah has told us who can receive it.
Learning those rules helps us protect that trust.
Before you give, take a little time to understand where your Zakat will go and who it will help.
Learn more about giving Zakat through Humanity Increased.