Quranic Guidance on Charity and Welfare

Overview

The Surah of Holy Quran that specifically gives the list of the beneficiaries of Zakat is Surah Al-Tauba. In Surah Al-Tawba, there are eight categories of people (asnaf) who qualify to benefit from zakat funds. Allah has clearly mentioned the masarif of zakat and sadaqah in Quran in these words:

اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَالْمَسٰکِیْنِ وَالْعٰمِلِیْنَ عَلَیْھَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَۃِ قُلُوْبُھُمْ وَ فِی الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِیْنَ وَفِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰہِ وَابْنِ السَّبِیْلِ ؕ فَرِیْضَۃً مِّنَ اللّٰہِ

The eight categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat are:
* The poor (fuqara)
* The needy (masakin)
* Those who collect and administer zakat (amilin)
* Those whose hearts are to be reconciled (muallafat al-qulub)
* Those in bondage or slavery (riqab)
* Those who are in debt (gharimin)
* Those who are fighting in the cause of Allah (fi sabil Allah)
* Travelers who are in need (ibn al-sabil)

The zakat is an obligatory charity in Islam and is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The zakat is a way of purifying one's wealth and demonstrating compassion and empathy towards those in need.