In the Noble Qur’an, Allah has explicitly mentioned eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat.
“The Sadaqat (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.”
— Surah At-Taubah (9:60), as cited by Mufti Taqi Usmani
Our focus will be on category number seven: “Those in the path of Allah.” According to the Hanafi Madhab, who does this include? Does it include students and others who perform good deeds? And is poverty a necessary condition?
The Fuqaha have discussed extensively who is included in this category. The meaning generally understood by the majority refers to those who go out to fight in the cause of Allah.
Later Hanafi scholars, such as Imam Kasani (rahimahullah), expanded this to include those who carry out acts of good solely for the sake of Allah, with the condition of need (hajah) and poverty, thereby excluding those who are wealthy.
The Shari’ah defines poverty in two categories:
Faqeer (Poor): One who owns some wealth, but it does not reach the amount of nisab, or owns nisab but it is non-productive or required for essential needs (hajat asliyyah).
Miskeen: One who owns nothing at all.
Therefore, if a student owns less than the nisab, owns nothing, or owns nisab but requires it for essential needs, they may be assisted with Zakat for their studies.
Allah Knows Best.
