Can zakah be given to the sayyids and sharifs, who are the descendants of the Prophet (pbuh)?
Is it true that zakah cannot be given to the Prophet and the sayyids, who are his descendants?
Dear Brother / Sister,
It was not permissible for the Prophet (pbuh) and his family that lived at that time to accept zakah. It is permissible for the descendants of the Prophet living today to accept zakah.
Mujtahids have different views about zakah that is haram for the relatives of the Prophet (pbuh). Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik say they are Hashimis. Imam Shafii says they are Hashimis and Sons of Muttalib. Abu Yusuf holds the view that it is haram for the relatives of the Prophet (pbuh) to accept zakah from others but that it is permissible among themselves.
Yusuf al-Qardawi states that the descendants of the Prophet (pbuh) living today can accept zakah. Yusuf al-Qardawi indicates this and emphasizes that "Aal-i Muhammad" were the relatives of the Prophet (pbuh) that lived during his time and states that Abu Hanifa, Imam Muhammad and, according to a view, Imam Malik understand it like that.
He also says that it is not consistent to accept that it is permissible for "Aal-i Muhammad" to accept sadaqah but not to accept zakah because sadaqah, which is nafilah to give, necessitates more gratitude than zakah, which is fard to give. When Hz. Prophet (pbuh) imposed the prohibition of zakah for his relatives, he wanted to prohibit them from accepting zakah, to show the example of living modestly and to save himself and his family from any imputations. There is no reason for this prohibition to continue until the Day of Judgment. Besides, he holds the view that to deprive them of the revenues of booty and fay (booty obtained without fighting) means to condemn them to poverty. (Qardawi, Fiqkhuz-Zakah, Beirut 1969, II/732-733)
Questions on Islam
- Calling oneself as the descendants of prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- How is zakah paid for commercial goods? Is it calculated based on the increase during the year? Can zakah be paid by goods?
- Will you give information about the deal Hz. Hasan and Hz. Muawiya made between them about the caliphate?
- To whom is zakah given? What are the people and places that zakah can be given? Is it appropriate to give zakah to associations, charity organizations, Quran schools, students and student hostels?
- Is it permissible to give zakah and fitrah to grandchildren?
- What is the wisdom behind the fact that zakah is mentioned after prayer in the Quran?
- Is it permissible to dye one’s hair black?
- What are the evidences that the amount of nisab is one-fortieth (1/40) for zakah?
- Will you give information about the life and caliphate of Hz. Hasan, the grandson of the Prophet?
- Can fitrah and zakah be given to non-Muslims?
