Q. One of my sisters is a widow who has young children. We support them for all their needs. May I ask whether we could pay our zakah to them? I also heard that zakah is not payable to those who are called Syed. May I ask whether this is correct even though they may be very deserving?
Shahzad
A. Scholars differ a great deal about the payment of zakah to close relatives, such as sisters, uncles, or nephews and nieces. The basic point of difference is concerned with whether such relatives are entitled to be looked after by their richer relatives or not. In other words: Is it a man’s duty to support his poor brother or sister, and should they be considered his dependants? If the answer is in the affirmative, then such relatives cannot be paid out of his zakah, because if it is paid to them, then the person concerned would be paying it to himself.
It is well known that a Muslim cannot pay his zakah to his parents, wife or children, because these are his dependants and partners in his earnings. If any of them is poor and cannot look after themselves, then he is required to look after them, ensuring that they are well cared for. Should he attempt to pay his zakah to them in order to avoid or reduce his liability, then his action would be nothing less than diverting his zakah to himself. This is not acceptable. The same argument would apply to paying zakah to his close relatives, if we consider it his duty to support them.
Scholars argue in different ways about whether such relatives are entitled, by right, to be supported. All scholars agree that supporting them is a great act of kindness which should be encouraged, but they differ as to whether it is a duty. The weightier and better supported view is that it is not. In other words, a Muslim is not duty bound to fully support his poor brother or sister, or their children. Therefore, the majority view is that such relatives may be paid from one’s zakah, even when they live in one’s own home.
‘Syed’ is a title given to those who are descendents of the Prophet’s household. The Prophet said that neither he nor his household might benefit by zakah. Hence, scholars have always said that such people may not be paid zakah if they are poor. However, this does not mean that they should be left to suffer and endure the hardship of poverty. They are certainly entitled to be looked after. A Muslim state should have proper provisions to look after the poor generally and Syeds in particular. Syeds are allocated a share of what the state gains, other than war booty.
In our present day, however, Muslim states do not have such provisions for Syeds. If they have a social security system, it applies to all people on equal basis. Any such system takes into account the zakah revenue. If we were to block such zakah benefit to Syeds who are poor, then we are placing them in a lower category than ordinary people.
This is not the purpose for which Islam excluded them from zakah benefit. Islam wants them to be treated in a kindly and respectful way which expresses our gratitude to the Prophet who delivered God’s message to us and guided us to the best way of earning God’s pleasure. We do not honor the Prophet if we were to leave his descendents suffering poverty without doing our best to reduce their hardship.
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who is a leading contemporary scholar and an outstanding authority on the subject of zakah, argues this point at length in his book Fiqh Al-Zakah, which is published in English as well as several other languages. He is strongly in favor of including Syeds among the beneficiaries of zakah, on equal status with other Muslims, provided they qualify for such benefit by being in any of the eight categories of beneficiaries.
Why Different Sects?
Q. Why did Muslims divide into different sects, each claiming to be on the right track? And, who is on the right track according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah?
A. Ahmad
A. Differences among Muslims started on political grounds. The first major split in Islamic history occurred after the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman. One group supported his successor, Ali, in all his actions, while another pressed for the urgent trial and punishment of Uthman’s killers. He felt that such a step would lead to greater and far-reaching splits in the Muslims ranks. His supporters then split, leading to the emergence of the Khawarij, whom he fought and defeated. His own supporters later split into different groups.
It will take a very long discussion to explain which group split from which or outline the differences between them. However, each group needed to have a religious cover for its stand. Otherwise, it would not survive. This led to the emergence of religious theories in support of each group or sect. Needless to say, each would try to prove that they are right, following the correct Islam.
Who follows the right track? The answer is given by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He mentions that his followers will split into different groups, stating that those who follow the line he and his companions follow are the one that are on the right path. These are the ones who are known today as Sunnis. This does not mean that the others are unbelievers. Anyone who believes in God’s oneness and in Muhammad’s message is a Muslim, but the right track is that followed by the Sunnis as they are the ones who follow the Prophet’s guidance.