Giving Zakat to Descendents of Prophet Muhammad

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 10 Shawwal 1423, 15 December 2002


Q.) Can we give zakat to syeds? [Nasir Shah]

A.) Sayyidna Abu Hurayra, Radi-Allahu anhu, narrates that once Hassan, Radi-Allahu anhu, took hold of a few dates of Sadaqah and was about to eat it. Nabi Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam took it away from him and remarked, 'Do you not know that we (the family of the Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam do not eat Sadaqah.' (Bukhari vol.1 pg.202; Qadeemi)

From the above Hadith, it is evident that the descendants of Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam can not accept Zakaat. They should be assisted with Lillah funds only. If a Sayyid is in dire need and Lillah funds are not available, then only may he be assisted with Zakaat funds. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best