Who are the permissible recipients of Sadaqah (charity) according to the Prophet?

Chapter on Zakat on Sheep

Al-Mughni

Book of Zakat

Book 8 · Issue 3 · Bab 3

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Charity is not lawful for a rich person, except for five specific categories mentioned by the Prophet. These categories are: one fighting in the cause of Allah (Ghazian), one acting as an agent/collector over it (Amil), a debtor who is settling a debt (Gharim), a person who bought the charity with his own money (implying he purchased it to return it to the poor, based on the narration context), or for a poor neighbor who then gifts some of that charity to a wealthy neighbor.

Supporting text

A narration transmitted through Abu Dawud via 'Ata ibn Yasar, and also through 'Ata from Abu Sa'id, confirms these categories for the permissibility of giving charity to someone who is otherwise wealthy.