its proper place, and it became beneficial, accepted by Allah, and of benefit to those upon whom it was bestowed. It may therefore be inferred that if one gives charity to someone poor and he later proves to be wealthy, it is still valid.

Some scholars hold that if one gives it, after due investigation, to someone he believes to be eligible, and it later becomes clear that he was not eligible, it is still valid—even beyond the specific case of a wealthy person; that is, as a general rule. This is because he feared Allah to the best of his ability, as Allah Most High says:

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” [al-Baqarah 2:286]

In acts of worship, what matters is what the legally responsible person reasonably believes, unlike transactions, in which what matters is the actual reality of the matter. It is difficult to tell him that his zakah has not been accepted when he made every effort; and one who strives to reach the correct ruling, if he is mistaken, receives one reward, while if he is correct, he receives two rewards.

This view is closer to what is correct: if he gives it, after exerting effort and investigating, to someone whom he believes eligible, then it becomes clear that he was not eligible, his zakah is valid. For once it has been established that it is valid when he gives it to a wealthy person whom he thought poor, the remaining categories may be analogized to that case.

Question: If someone comes to you asking for zakah, and you see that he is sturdy and strong, should you give him or not?

Answer: We say: First admonish him and say, “If you wish, I will give you, but there is no share in it for one who is wealthy or strong and able to earn.” This is as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did with the two men who came to him asking for charity. He saw that they were sturdy and said, “If you wish, I will give you, but there is no share in it for one who is wealthy or strong and able to earn.” (1)