What is the ruling regarding supplication when Zakat is given to an appointed agent or the ruler?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
If the Zakat is given to the appointed agent (sa'i) or the Imam, the payer should thank and supplicate for him. The basis for this is the command in the Quran: "Take from their wealth a charity that you may purify them and cause them to grow thereby and supplicate for them. Indeed, your supplication is a comfort to them" (Quran 9:103). Furthermore, it is reported that Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa stated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, would supplicate upon receiving charity from individuals, saying, "O Allah, send blessings upon the family of so-and-so." When his father brought his charity, the Prophet said, "O Allah, send blessings upon the family of Abi Awfa," as reported in the Muttafaqun Alayh collection.
Supporting text
The supplication mentioned here refers only to prayer and blessing and is not obligatory. This is demonstrated by the fact that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, sent Mu'adh to Yemen, he commanded him to inform them of the obligatory charity but did not instruct him to offer a specific supplication upon collection, as related in the Muttafaqun Alayh collection. Furthermore, since it is not obligatory upon the poor recipient who ultimately receives it, it is even less obligatory upon the designated agent.