Zād al-Maʿād - Ibn al-Qayyim - (2/9)

he was obliged to give, and the recipient by taking (1) what he was not entitled to. Between these two groups (2), great harm befell the needy, and severe poverty forced them to resort to various stratagems and persistent begging.

The Lord, glorified be He, Himself determined the distribution (3) of zakat, dividing it into eight shares whose recipients fall into two categories:

The first comprises those who receive it because of their need (4). They receive an amount proportionate to the degree and extent of their need, whether great or small. These are the poor, the needy, those in bondage, and stranded travellers.

The second comprises those who receive it because of the benefit they provide. These are those who administer it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, those who incur debts to reconcile disputing parties, and those who fight in Allah’s cause.

If a recipient is neither in need nor of benefit to the Muslims, he has no share in zakat.

Section

When the Prophet (5) knew that a man was eligible for zakat, he would give it to him. If someone asked him for zakat (6) and he did not know his circumstances, he would give it to him after informing him that there was no share in it for a wealthy person, nor for

(1) The printed edition reads: ya'khudh (“takes”), contrary to the manuscripts. (2) ج, ع read: al-zālimīn (“the wrongdoers”). (3) The printed edition reads: qasm (“distribution”). The adopted reading follows the manuscripts. (4) ب, مب read: li-hāja (“because of need”). (5) The printed edition adds here: min hadyihi (“part of his guidance”), followed by “may Allah bless him and grant him peace.” This is absent from the manuscripts. (6) The printed edition reads: min ahl al-zakāt (“among those eligible for zakat”). The adopted reading follows the manuscripts.

وجب عليه، والآخذُ بأخْذِه (١) ما لا يستحق، فتولَّد من بين الطائفتين (٢) ضررٌ عظيم على المساكين، وفاقةٌ شديدة أوجبتْ لهم أنواعَ الحِيَل والإلحاف في المسألة. والربُّ سبحانه تولَّى قِسمةَ (٣) الصدقة بنفسه وجزَّأَها ثمانيةَ أجزاء، يجمعها صنفان من الناس: أحدهما: من يأخذ لحاجته (٤)، فيأخذ بحسب شدة الحاجة وضعفها وكثرتها وقلتها، وهم: الفقراء، والمساكين، وفي الرِّقاب، وابن السبيل. والثاني: من يأخذ لمنفعته، وهم: العاملون عليها، والمؤلَّفةُ قلوبُهم، والغارمون لإصلاح ذات البين، والغُزاة في سبيل الله. فإن لم يكن الآخذ محتاجًا، ولا فيه منفعة للمسلمين، فلا سَهْمَ له في الزكاة. فصل وكان (٥) إذا عَلِم من الرجل أنه من أهل الزكاة أعطاه، وإن سأله أحدٌ من الزكاة (٦) ولم يعرف حاله أعطاه، بعدَ أن يخبره أنه لا حظَّ فيها لغنيٍّ ولا

(١) في المطبوع: «يأخذ» خلاف النسخ. (٢) ج، ع: «الظالمين». (٣) في المطبوع: «قسم». والمثبت من النسخ. (٤) ب، مب: «لحاجة». (٥) بعدها في المطبوع: «من هديه ﷺ». وليست في النسخ. (٦) في المطبوع: «من أهل الزكاة». والمثبت من النسخ.