The cases in which Zakat can be spent according to the treatises of each of the Marja’ Taqlids are as follows. It has been tried to collect these cases based on the principle of his treatise.
Zakat According to the Ruling of Shiite Religious Authorities
- Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani: According to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: According to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Modarresi: According to Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Modarresi’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi: According to Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Muhammad al-Fayadh: According to Ayatollah Muhammad al-Fayadh’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: According to Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim: According to Ayatollah Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Muhammad al-Yaqoubi: According to Ayatollah Muhammad al-Yaqoubi’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- Tosupport the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Akhtari: According to Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Akhtari’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Hussein Vahid Khorasani: According to Ayatollah Hussein Vahid Khorasani’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
- Ayatollah Mohaqiq Kabuli: According to Ayatollah Mohaqiq Kabuli’s treatise of Islamic laws, Zakat can be spent in the following ways:
- To support the needs of poor and needy individuals.
- To support the needs of those who are in debt.
- To support the needs of travelers who are stranded or in need of assistance.
- To support the needs of those who are seeking knowledge of Islam.
- To support the needs of those who are in the path of Allah, such as those who are fighting in defense of the faith.
It’s important to note that the ways in which Zakat can be spent can vary slightly between different Marja’ Taqlids, depending on their interpretation of Islamic law and the needs of their specific communities. Nonetheless, the general categories of spending mentioned above are common among Shia Muslim scholars and jurists.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- How can Zakat be spent according to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani?
Based on the treatise of Ayatollah Sistani, Zakat funds are primarily directed toward supporting the essential needs of poor and needy individuals, assisting people burdened by debt, providing relief for stranded travelers, and funding those seeking Islamic knowledge or serving the faith in the path of Allah.
2- What are the Zakat spending categories according to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
According to the Islamic laws defined by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Zakat is utilized to help the impoverished, settle the debts of those unable to pay, assist travelers in need of support, and contribute to the path of Allah, including defense of the faith and supporting religious students.
3- Are there common ways to distribute Zakat among different Marja Taqlids?
Yes, while interpretations may vary slightly, major scholars like Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani agree on core categories. These include helping the poor, aiding debt-ridden individuals, supporting stranded travelers, and providing financial assistance for educational or defensive efforts consistent with the path of Allah.
4- How does Zakat usage benefit those seeking Islamic knowledge?
Across the treatises of various Marjas such as Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi and Ayatollah Muhammad al-Fayadh, Zakat can be legally spent to support students and scholars. This financial backing ensures that the pursuit of Islamic knowledge continues effectively, covering the costs associated with religious education and propagation.
