Chapter on Categories of the People of Zakat

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah and Muhammad ibn Muslim: They both (Zurarah and Muhammad ibn Muslim) said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: “Have you considered the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: ‘(Alms-tax) is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are to be attracted (to the faith), for (freeing) slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى cause, and for (needy) travellers. (This is) an obligation from almighty Allah سبحانه وتعالى.’ (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60) Are all of these given, even if he does not recognize?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The Imam gives all of these, as they acknowledge obedience to him.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then if they do not recognize?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “O Zurarah, if he were to give to the one who recognizes and not to the one who does not recognize, no place would be found for it. Rather, he gives to the one who does not recognize so that he may desire the religion and remain firm upon it. As for today, then neither you nor your companions should give it except to one who recognizes. So whoever you find among these Muslims as one who recognizes, give it to him rather than the people.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “The share of those whose hearts are to be reconciled and the share of freeing slaves are general, and the rest are specific.” He (narrator) said: “I said to Imam عليه السلام: ‘Then if they are not found?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no obligation that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has imposed except that people entitled to it are found.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then if the charities are not enough for them?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Allah سبحانه وتعالى has obligated for the poor in the wealth of the rich that which suffices them. If Allah سبحانه وتعالى had known that this would not suffice them, Allah سبحانه وتعالى would have increased it for them. They have not been deprived because of the obligation of almighty Allah سبحانه وتعالى, but they have been deprived because of the withholding of those who withheld their right from them, not because of what Allah سبحانه وتعالى obligated for them. If the people had paid their rights, they would have lived in goodness.”