What is the recommended manner for distributing collected charity (Sadaqah)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Deposits
Primary text
It is recommended to distribute the charity among as many eligible categories (Asnaf) as possible to avoid scholarly disputes and ensure general coverage of each category. If the collector (Sa'i) administers the distribution, it is advised that they first meticulously document the eligible recipients, including their lineage, needs, and sufficiency levels, so that distribution occurs immediately after collection. The distributor must commence with the administrator/collector, as they receive their share as compensation for service, giving their claim precedence. This is supported by the Prophetic instruction: "Pay the laborer his wages before his sweat dries." Following the administrator, distribution proceeds to those with the most pressing need. If the charity suffices for everyone's needs, each individual receives enough to cover their need for the year, providing the poor (Faqir) with what suffices them and their dependents, and the needy (Miskin) with what completes their sufficiency.
Supporting text
If the distribution involves gold or silver, there are two narrations: one states the recipient receives enough for sufficiency, and the second limits the amount to fifty Dirhams or its equivalent in gold, unless the recipient has dependents, in which case fifty Dirhams are given for each dependent. The distributor must ensure the administrator receives their wages, the debtor receives payment for their debt, the contracted slave (Muktâb) receives what covers their manumission payment, the raider (Ghazi) receives provisions for the raid, and the traveler (Ibn al-Sabil) receives enough to reach their destination. If the charity is insufficient for their full needs, it is distributed according to what the distributor deems appropriate. It is recommended that no fewer than three individuals from each category receive aid, as this constitutes the minimum number for a group, except for the administrator, who can be a single person.