Fatwa ID: 08878
Answered by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Question:
In the categories of Zakat, Muallafat qulubuhum has been abrogated, anyone know why the Wifaq Ulama of South Africa have allowed it?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
“Muallafat qulubuhum” represents one of the eight categories of Zakat beneficiaries identified in the Qur’an.
“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakat] and for bringing hearts together [muallafat qulubuhum] and for freeing captives and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveller—an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
(Surah At-Tawbah:60)[1]
In the past, muallafat qulubuhum included reasoning such as:
– strengthening their commitment to Islam, new Muslims whose faith was still developing.
– influential non-Muslims, either to encourage them to convert to Islam or to shield the Muslim community from possible danger.
As Islam gained popularity, some academics—especially those of the Hanafi school—thought that this category was no longer relevant. They felt that such allocations were no longer necessary due to the power of the Muslim community. This opinion is supported by historical circumstances in which the early Muslim community aimed to establish its standing and connections.
According to modern academics and groups like the Wifaq Ulama of South Africa, the fundamental ideas of this category are still applicable. They contend that there are people and organisations in the modern world who may be inclined towards Islam or who are unfamiliar with the religion and need assistance. Giving such people zakat can help them grow spiritually and fit in with the Muslim community.[2]
Therefore, modern scholars recognise the category of muallafat qulubuhum’s applicability in contemporary contexts where its original objectives can still be achieved, understanding that it also falls under the category of Hifz deen and Hifz Aqal- despite some classical opinions viewing it as abolished due to the changing circumstances of the Muslim community.
References:
[1] ۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
[2] https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2022/03/the-rules-of-giving-zakat-to-a-water-well?utm
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham