سورة التّوبَة
Surah Al-Taubah 9:60
The Repentance · Verse 60 of 129
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Abdul Mannan Omar
Compulsory charities (- Zakât) are meant for the destitute and the needy, and for its functionaries, and (for) those whose hearts require to be consoled (in all sincerity), and for the emancipation of the slaves, and for (the relief of) those in debt, and (for spending) in the cause of Allâh, and for the wayfarer. (This is) an obligation imposed by Allâh, for Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
Ahmed Ali
Charities are meant for the indigent and needy, and those who collect and distribute them, and those whom you wish to win over, and for redeeming slaves (and captives) and those who are burdened with debt, and in the cause of God, and the wayfarers: So does God ordain. God is all-knowing and all-wise.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
The Prescribed Purifying Alms (the Zakah) are meant only for the poor, and the destitute (albeit, out of self-respect, they do not give the impression that they are in need), and those in charge of collecting (and administering) them, and those whose hearts are to be won over (for support of God’s cause, including those whose hostility is to be prevented), and to free those in bondage (slavery and captivity), and to help those over-burdened with debt, and in God’s cause (to exalt God’s word, to provide for the warriors and students, and to help the pilgrims), and for the wayfarer (in need of help). This is an ordinance from God. God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Daryabadi
The compulsory alms are only for the poor and the needy and the agents employed therein and those whose hearts are to be conciliated and those in bondage and debtors and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer: an ordinance from Allah: and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
Faridul Haque
The obligatory charity * is only for the destitute and the really needy, and those who collect it, and for those in whose hearts the love of Islam needs to be instilled **, and to free slaves, and to debtors, and in Allah´s cause ***, and to the traveller; this is decreed by Allah; and Allah is All Knowing, Wise. (* This applies only to Zakat.** The new convert to Islam.*** To the fighter having no provisions for holy war.)
Maulana Muhammad Ali
(Zakat) charity is only for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are made to incline (to truth), and (to free) the captives, and those in debt, and in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer -- an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.
Maulvi Sher Ali
The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and for those employed in connections therewith, and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for the freeing of slaves, and for those in debt, and for the cause of ALLAH, and for the wayfarer - an ordinance from ALLAH. And ALLAH is All-Knowing, Wise.
Muhammad Asad
The offerings given for the sake of God are [meant] only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and [for] those who are over burdened with debts, and [for every struggle] in God's cause, and [for] the wayfarer: [this is] an ordinance from God - and God is all-knowing, wise.
Muhammad Musin Khan
As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.
Muhammad Pickthall
The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.
Muhammad Sarwar
Welfare funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, the tax collectors, those whose hearts are inclined (towards Islam), the slaves, those who cannot pay their debts, for the cause of God, and for those who have become needy on a journey. Paying zakat is an obligation that God has decreed. God is All-knowing and All-wise.
Muhammed ali Shakir
Alms are only for the poor and the needy, and the officials (appointed) over them, and those whose hearts are made to incline (to truth) and the (ransoming of) captives and those in debts and in the way of Allah and the wayfarer; an ordinance from Allah; and Allah is knowing, Wise.
Rashad Khalifa
Charities shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of GOD, and to the traveling alien. Such is GOD's commandment. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
Shabbir Ahmed
(The funds that the Central Authority receives as) Alms and Charity (Sadaqaat) belong to the following eight categories: 1- The poor, those who are not able to earn sufficient living to meet their essential needs. 2- Those whose running businesses have stalled or the ones who have lost their jobs or those who have become needy for any reason. 3- Officials who have been appointed by the government to collect alms and charity. 4- Those who deserve financial help to heal any sufferings. 5- For those in bondage of any kind: physical slavery, unjust captivity, and oppression. 6- Those in heavy debt. 7- Defense of the Ideological State, in the cause of God. 8- The wayfarer who becomes needy, or travels to the believers in destitute condition, and the homeless son of the street. This is a Duty from God. For, God is Knower, Wise (and His commands are based on knowledge and wisdom).
Commentary 9:60 The verse specifies the purposes and persons on which Zakât funds are to be spent. Eight categories are mentioned, and their sequence of appearance…
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ
9:60 The verse specifies the purposes and persons on which Zakât funds are to be spent. Eight categories are mentioned, and their sequence of appearance reflects their priority. The first category is that of the poor or those oppressed by poverty, disease or old age - Fuqarâ فُقَرَاءِ. The second category is those of Masâkînالْمَسَاكِينِ who are in need of help; they have learnt a profession but are unable to put their professional talents to use due to lack of funds. Examples are craftsmen or businessmen without sufficient means to start a business. ‘Âmilînالْعَامِلِينَ are the employees of the government whose duty is to organize the collecting of the Zakât, its management and administration. Mu’allafah al-Qulûb (الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُ) are the people whose hearts are inclined towards the truth, but who cannot express their belief openly because of the material or social disadvantages they may suffer. These also include new converts to Islam who are in need of funds because of social disruption because of their acceptance of Islam. A further example is that of qualified people who want to travel from place to place in order to spread the message of Islam, but who cannot do so because they lack funds. fî al-Riqâb فِي الرِّقَابِ are the prisoners and slaves. The Zakât money should be used for the freeing of the prisoners of war and of slaves. Al-Ghârimînالْغَارِمِينَare those who are unable to pay their debts or those who have suffered extraordinary losses in business. Squanderers of wealth are not included in the category. fî Sabîl Allâhفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِliterally means “in the way of Allâh”. The expression is used for fighters and soldiers and their families, and those who are engaged in the dissemination of teachings of Islam. Ibn Sabîlابْنِ السَّبِيلِ are those stranded while on a journey for lack of funds and other reasons. They include those who travel in search of knowledge or for promoting social relations.
The Zakât funds are not only for Muslims, but are for all members of the community or society, irrespective of their religion or nation. Nothing in Islam prevents the use of Zakât funds to build hospitals, schools or other institutions from which the whole community may benefit. It should be noted that the family and the tribe of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) are excluded from the benefits of Zakât. It is said that ImâmHussein, the grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), while still a child, took one date presented as Zakât. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) noticed this and immediately took the date out of the mouth of his grandchild.