Answered by Shaykh Abu Usamah
It is to my understanding that Zakaat can NOT be given to … or received by Syeds. Someone has just asked me why … can you give proof as to why and/or its validity to if this is true or not?
Al-Salam `alaykum
In Mukhtasar al-Quduri (with its Hashiya Al-Lubab by Shaykh Abd al-Ganiyy al-Maydani, the student of `Allama ibn Abidin ) v1 p168 it is stated:
Zakah cannot be given to the (some of the) Banu Hasim* (because Allah Ta`ala has forbidden for them the dirt of people’s wealth and has given them in place of that a fifth of the Khums of the Booty.)
*The Banu Hasim are the progeny of Ali, Abbas, Ja`far, `Aqil and Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib and excludes the progeny of Abu Lahab.
This was an honour that Allah had given them for their giving support to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam in Jahiliyya and Islam.
There are also ahadith that mention that Zakah is forbidden for the Banu Hashim.
In Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith Nos.
1420 and 2907 and in Sahih Muslim Hadith No. 1069 it is reported that Hadrat Hasan r.a once took a date from the dates of sadaqa and placed it in his mouth. At this Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Kakh!Kakh! Throw it out! Dont you know that we do not eat charity?”
This hadith as well as others indicate that Zakah is not allowed for the family of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
Allah Ta`ala Knows Best.
Abu Usamah