Expounding on the categories of Zakah recipients: the Faqeer & Miskeen 🤲

Keys To Fiqh | T.me/K2Fiqh | #K2FiqhBenefits3

Islam is a beautiful way of life that encourages aiding and assisting others.

Our beloved Sh. Abdus-Salaam ash-Shuway’ir الله يحفظه recently visited us in Makkah for an intensive fiqh course. Among the benefits he expounded on was related to the “Book of Zakah” and its recipients. 

Allah said,

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Zakah (Obligatory charity) are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Tawbah: 60)

When explaining the difference between “Faqeer” (poor) and “Miskeen” (needy) he said that the affair revolves around those who are either *completely devoided of* or *deficient in* one of the following five:

1. Food and Drink 🍜🚰

2. Clothing 👕👖

🖋️ Some scholars say that the least amount needed is an outfit for summer and winter. Others say that the affair returns back to the custom due to the fiqh maxim: العادة محكمة “the custom is the judge”.

3. A place to live 🏠

They should be given enough rent money that will suffice for a year. The living quarters must be a place appropriate for their family size. Ex: a family of 10 would not suffice with a one bedroom apartment.

4. The male who does not have enough money to become married and is fearful of falling into sin 💍

In this case, the Zakah donated should suffice for a normal sensible priced dowry.

5. Everyday essentials one needs to live 

What is considered to be “everyday essentials” differs according to the custom and it can range to different things. For example, if one lives in the desert (or on a farm) and needs flock in order to live, then “saa’imah” (livestock) can be given to him as Zakah instead of money.

The Shaykh mentioned that this includes Air Conditioners in extremely hot places like here in Makkah. Throughout the day, it becomes blazing hot without any exaggeration. It can reach 110-120+ degrees daily during the summer. If there is someone without AC or with a broken AC, then it is permissible to give Zakah money to fulfill that need.

If someone is completely devoided of one of the five mentioned above (and unable to obtain it by their own means) then he/she is considered to be a Faqeer.

If someone is deficient in one of the five mentioned above, then he/she is considered to be a Miskeen.

Due to this, the Faqeer is considered to be in more need than the Miskeen and that is expressed in the verse for those who ponder and reflect.

For anyone who would like further reading pertaining to “Faqeer” & “Miskeen”, then I suggest reading the book “Ahkaam al-Faqeer wal Miskeen Fil Kitaab al-Adheem was-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah” by Shaykh Muhammad Bazmul حفظه الله.

#K2FiqhBenefits #K2Fiqh #KeysToFiqh

✍️ Abu Awzaa’ee Abdus-Salaam al-Makki al-Hanbali

🕋 Makkah al-Mukarramah

🗓️ 2nd Dhul Hijjah, 1439h (8/13/2018)

👋 Join us for more benefits: T.me/K2Fiqh