How to Distribute Zakat al-Fitr among People in Shafi‘i School?

Answered by Shaykh Farid Dingle

Question

I understand that it is an obligation for me, according to the Shafi’i school, to distribute zakat al-fitr to all eight categories of zakat recipients in my city and to at least three members of each.

Could you please give me some practical advice as to how exactly to do that?

Answer

Thank you for your important question.

As you correctly stated, it is indeed an obligation in the Shafi’i school to distribute zakat al-fitr to all eight categories of zakat recipients in one’s locality and to at least three members of each. [Ba ‘Ishn, Bushra al Karim]

This is because of the verse of the Quran,

“Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect (zakat) and for bringing hearts together (for Islam) and for freeing captives (or slaves) and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the (stranded) traveler – an obligation (imposed) by Allah.)” [Quran, 9:60)]

All eight categories are mentioned, and the plural is used, and the minimum plural in Arabic is three. [Nawawi, Majmu‘]

If this is practically possible, one should give it to three people of each of the eight categories that exist in your locality. If it proves too hard to find such people in your locality, there is no harm in just giving to three poor people or even just one poor person. These are also valid and followable positions in the Shafi’i school. [Abdul Rahman Mashhur, Bughyat al-Mustarshidin; Ba ‘Ishn, Bushra al Karim]

I pray this helps.
[Shaykh] Farid Dingle
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.