And one who is given because of the strength of his faith, or in the hope that he will embrace Islam, is given due to his own need—not a need for maintenance and money, but another need: the strengthening of his faith and the hope that he will embrace Islam.

The fifth category: those in bondage: namely, contracted slaves; and a Muslim captive may also be freed from it.

His statement: “The fifth category: those in bondage: namely, contracted slaves.”

This is due to Allah’s saying: “and for freeing captives” [al-Tawbah 9:60]. The term “necks” is the plural of “neck,” by which slaves are meant. Thus, zakat is spent on slaves.

But does this mean that we give money to the slave?

The answer is no. Rather, it means what the author mentioned in his words, “namely, contracted slaves.” Contracted slaves are those who have purchased their freedom from their masters. This is derived from kitābah (a manumission contract), because this contract involves a written agreement between the master and the slave.

How much is he given?

The answer is: he is given whatever amount will enable him to fulfil the payment.

For example, a slave purchases his freedom from his master for ten thousand, five thousand to be paid after six months and another five thousand after a further six months. In this case, we give him five thousand for the first term and five thousand for the second.

A contracted slave may be given the money directly, so that he pays his master; or we may give it to his master in settlement on his behalf. This is because Allah Most High said, “and for freeing captives,” using fī (for), which indicates allocation within a category, rather than saying “to those in bondage.” This differs from the poor, the needy, those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled: they are given zakat as their own property, because their entitlement is expressed with the preposition li- (to), which denotes ownership.