Q: To which persons are we allowed to give zakaat to. How much money does the person need to have so that he is able to accept zakaat?
A: It is permissible to give zakaat to a poor Muslim who (after excluding the necessary possessions one requires to live e.g. house, car, furniture, cutlery, etc and after deducting his debts and liabilities) possesses less than the amount of nisaab.
The following people are not eligible for zakaat:
1. A non-Muslim
2. A Sayyid (descendent of Nabi Alaihis salaam’s family i.e. the Banu Haashim) even if he is poor. (The Banu Haashim include the descendents of either ‘Abbaas, Ali, Jafar, Aqeel or Haarith Bin Abdil Muttalib (Radiyallahu Anhum))
3. The donors ascendants e.g. his parents, grandparents, etc. and descendents e.g. children, grandchildren, etc.
4. The donors spouse (husband or wife)
5. A minor whose father is wealthy
6. A wealthy person (A person who possesses that amount of wealth which equals the nisaab after deducting all his liabilities and debts)
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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