More Than Charity: 8 Groups Who Benefit from Your Zakat

Ramadan is not just a month of fasting; it is a month of spiritual, mental, and emotional growth. It is a sacred month of compassion in the form of abstaining from eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset to educate Muslims to understand what it means to be in poverty.

Aside from fasting, another important aspect of Ramadan is paying Zakat, a form of charity or tax compulsory for those eligible to pay it. The criteria for eligibility to pay Zakat is commonly known, however, not many know of the 8 groups that benefit from it.

What is Zakat?

Zakat is a form of charity that comes in many forms such as income Zakat, property Zakat, and even livestock Zakat which can be paid throughout the year. The special Zakat during Ramadan is called Zakat Fitrah and it serves to provide financial aid to various groups within the Muslim community during Ramadan and Raya. The spiritual goal of this charity is to cleanse and purify the benefactors and remind them against being greedy with their wealth.

How much do Muslims need to pay?

Generally, Muslims need to pay the amount of one saa’ of the country’s staple food. One saa’ is a unit of measurement equivalent to scooping the country’s staple food four times with both hands. In Malaysia’s case, we find the value of Zakat Fitrah payments using rice as a reference.

As of 2025, Muslims need to pay RM7 for Zakat Fitrah but this price is not fixed as it will depend on the current price of rice. The Zakat collection centres usually provide price options according to the type of rice. For example, those with a higher income may pay the price of imported rice at RM15 or of basmati rice at RM22 per person.

Who receives Zakat Fitrah?

There are eight main groups who receive Zakat for more than just financial assistance. Some receive them as payment for their service, some to pay burdening debts, and some even to gain freedom for themselves.

Charity is a big part of Ramadhan as it teaches empathy and creates a caring community.

1. The Poor and Needy (Al-Masakin and Al-Fuqara)

The most commonly known receivers of Zakat are the needy (Al-Fuqara) and the poor (Al-Masakin). The Masakin are defined as those who could barely make an income to support their daily needs while the Fuqara are those who could not make enough to sustain everyday life.

Zakat helps these two groups financially as well as allow them to celebrate Raya like everyone else. This financial initiative also helps build a community of members who care for the welfare of those around them, aligning with an authentic Hadith from the Prophet Muhammad:

“He is not a believer whose stomach is full while the neighbour to his side is starving.”

2. Zakat Collectors (Amil)

Zakat is not only for the less fortunate, sometimes, it’s used to pay people for their service. Such is the case with the group of Zakat beneficiaries called the Amil or Zakat collectors. An Amil’s job is to collect and distribute Zakat from Muslims all over the country and for that, they are given the right to receive 1/12 of their collection based on the rulings of the Mufti of Federal Territory’s Office.

3. New Muslims (Muallaf)

Converting to any religion can be a difficult journey and new members of a belief should always be treated with kindness as they enter a complete unknown. In Islam, new Muslim converts, or Muallafs, are given many privileges such as the right to receive Zakat as financial aid. On top of that, it serves as a warm welcome into the religion by the Muslim community.

4. Slaves and Captives (Riqab)

War and slavery have always been a part of human civilisation since 3500 BC. Despite it being the norm everywhere until the 19th century, Islam takes initiatives against this mistreatment of human rights to slowly abolish them from Muslim societies. One of these initiatives is allowing Zakat to be given to captives and slaves, known as the Riqab, to pay for their freedom.

5. The Debt-ridden (Gharimin)

Avoiding paying debt is extremely taboo in Islam. So, what happens when someone takes a debt to sustain their family but is unable to pay it back? This group of people is called the Gharimin and are allowed to take Zakat to pay that debt off. This group extends to also include those people who take debt to help others or people who are guarantors for someone unable to pay their debt. 

6. Those in the Way of God (Fisabilillah)

The Fisabilillah group is generally defined as those doing good in the name of God. This group encompasses those who do religious programmes, religious leaders, or even the development of religious institutions. They can also be students who study to progress the religion or the community. Zakat helps this group in their efforts in the name of progress and community. 

7. Travellers (Ibnus Sabil)

Travelling is no cheap task as it takes a lot of resources which could dry up long before travellers reach their destination. The Ibnus Sabil include such travellers. When they require help, they are entitled to ask for financial aid from Zakat institutions to alleviate financial burdens and finish their journey.

After paying for Zakat Fitrah, Muslims will make prayer to bless their charity. Credit: Lembaga Zakat Selangor

The main reason why Zakat Fitrah exists is to financially help those less fortunate to have a better Raya celebration while serving as a reminder to the wealthy to not be greedy. Therefore, the payment for Zakat Fitrah will need to be done within the month of Ramadhan. 

Zakat Fitrah is paid from the first day of the fasting month, beginning at sunset the evening before, until before the Raya prayers. Muslims in Malaysia may pay at their state’s collection centres or in Pos Malaysia offices nationwide. For example, Muslims in Selangor may choose to pay at Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) or Pos Malaysia offices near you.

Aside from paying Zakat, Pos Malaysia offers a variety of services tailored for convenience such as paying Wakaf, insurance, bills, ASNB deposits, Maybank deposits, as well as domestic shipping, will writing, and stamp purchases. Visit a Pos Malaysia counter for more information today.

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Conclusion

Ramadan is more than a month of fasting, it is a celebration of religion, health, and togetherness. Those participating in this annual event get the opportunity to take part in something bigger than themselves by contributing to the community while learning to be more empathetic to the plight of the less fortunate.