How to Determine Who Deserves Zakat Based on Their Financial Situation

Question: Some workers earn around 1500 riyals per month, a little more or a little less. In this country, they may be considered poor. But in their home countries, this salary may be considered good. So how do we decide whether they deserve zakat or not? Is it based only on how much they earn monthly? Sheikh Sa'd Khathlan hafidhahullah: If a person’s income does not last until the end of the month, then he deserves zakat. His expenses, the people he supports, and his overall situation should be considered. If he appears to be poor and in need, and it is most likely that he does not save anything from his salary but instead spends it all on necessary expenses and basic needs, then he qualifies for zakat. And this is usually the case. In most situations, a person would not leave his country, family, children, and relatives to work abroad unless he truly needed the money. So generally, such people are likely to be poor and in need. However, the one giving zakat should clearly tell him that this money is zakat. The giver should also try his best to understand the person’s situation and make a reasonable judgment, based on signs and circumstances, that he deserves zakat. The general rule is this: if a person does not appear wealthy, and he asks for zakat — or even if someone wants to give him zakat — then he should be given it. But if you are unsure about him, you may remind him of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) told two strong and healthy men: “If you wish, I will give you, but there is no share in it for a rich person or for someone strong and able to earn.” So the decision is based on what appears outwardly. If someone appears in need and does not seem wealthy, it is permissible to give him zakat. But if you have doubts, tell him clearly: this is zakat, and it is not allowed for someone who is rich or able to earn sufficiently. Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) explained a very thoughtful point about this issue. He said that if we required a poor person to bring proof of his poverty, many poor people would end up deprived of zakat — and this would be harmful. On the other hand, if we give zakat based on what appears to us about someone’s condition, there is a possibility that someone who does not deserve it might receive it. However, the harm of depriving a truly poor person is worse than the harm of giving zakat to someone who does not deserve it. Therefore, zakat should be given to someone who does not appear wealthy. This is what the overall evidence indicates. The Prophet (peace be upon him), when approached by two young, strong men, looked at them carefully and said: “If you wish, I will give you, but there is no share in it for a rich person or for one strong and able to earn.” The decision is based on outward appearance. A person is not required to be completely certain that someone is poor, because poverty is often hidden. Scholars have even said that if someone gives zakat to a person he believed was poor, but later it turns out he was rich, the zakat is still valid. They explained that poverty is not always obvious, and some people may falsely claim to be poor. This shows Allah’s mercy toward His servants. Some people hesitate and say, “We want to give zakat to this person, but we fear he may not truly deserve it.” The answer is: judge by what is apparent. If you strongly believe he deserves it, give it, and you have fulfilled your responsibility. After that, the responsibility is on him. If he was not truly deserving, then the sin is upon him. [As mentioned in the hadith:] “Whoever takes people’s money to increase his wealth unjustly is only taking burning fire — whether he takes little or much.”