BENEFIT 380: Can Ahlul-Bid’ah Be Classified Under (المؤلفة قلوبهم) for Zakah if There’s Hope They Will Embrace the Sunnah and Abandon Their Innovation?

Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) was asked whether Zakah can be given to Ahlul-Bid’ah, to which he responded: "Innovations are of two types: 1. Innovations that constitute disbelief (بدعة مكفرة): These are innovations that remove a person from the fold of Islam. It is not permissible to give Zakah to such individuals. Examples include those who believe the Prophet ﷺ responds to supplications, those who seek aid from him, or those who claim that Allāh is present everywhere in His essence, denying His exaltation above creation. 2. Innovations that do not constitute disbelief (بدعة مفسقة): These are lesser innovations that do not expel a person from Islam. Since such individuals are still considered Muslims, they may receive Zakah if they fall under one of the categories specified in the Qur’an." [Majmū‘ Fatāwā Ibn ‘Uthaymīn, 18/431] From this, we understand that individuals belonging to the second category (بدعة مفسقة) remain eligible for Zakah as they are still Muslim. However, it's also possible for those in the first category (بدعة مكفرة) to be eligible for Zakah under the category of المؤلفة قلوبهم based on the circumstances. Sheikh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله) said: "The Rāfiḍhah require further clarification. Among them are those who worship Ahlul-Bayt, and such individuals are disbelievers. However, if Zakah is given to them as a means to win them over to Islam and invite them to the truth, then there is no harm in doing so." [https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/24490/%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%80-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%82%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%87%D9%85] That being said, it is always preferable to seek out righteous Muslims when distributing Zakah. Sheikh Al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) advised: "Zakah should not be given to those who will not use it in obedience to Allāh. Allāh has ordained it as support for believers in need—such as the poor or the indebted—or for those who assist the believers. Thus, a person in need who does not pray should not be given anything until they repent and commit to performing their prayers on time." [Al-Ikhtiyārāt Al-Fiqhiyyah, p.103]