ILM AL-HÂL

220 THE ELIGIBLE ZAKÂH RECIPIENTS 1. The poor who do not have the Nisâb, 2. The needy who have nothing in life (Al-Masâkîn), 3. The officials in charge of collecting Zakâh, 4. Those who have inclined towards Islâm by recieving Zakâh (Muallafah Al-Qulub), 5. People in bondage, 6. People burdened with debts, 7. People who are in the path of Allâh, 8. Travelers stranded without money. Zakat can be given to any of these eight categories mentioned above. However, the most deserving people to receive the Zakâh are the needy with nothing in life and those who are striving in the cause of Allâh.