Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Would you have any booklets or works on the topic of the zakāh recipient known as muallafat al-qulūb? I am looking into the topic.
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah Institute.
I suggest you study the tafsīr of the Qur’ānic verse 9:60 in various tafāsīrs. You can also find details in the works of Muftī Taqī Uthmānī and Muftī Khālid Saifullāh Al-Raḥmāni (may the Almighty preserve them).
Below, please find a summary of the topic.
The zakāh category of muallafat al-qulūb “conciliating people’s hearts” will remain in effect until judgment day. This category has never been abrogated nor non-existent. According to the need of the time, it is practiced and applied.
It is permissible to assist a new-muslim with zakāh if they have sustained financial loss due to accepting Islam. Similarly, it is permissible to use a portion of zakāh funds to be given to a non-muslim who is very close to accepting Islam. It is also permissible to use zakāh funds to be given to such a non-muslim, to protect muslims from their anticipated harm or threats. It is also allowed to assist non-muslims using zakāh funds, to provide relief to them if they have been affected by a natural disaster such as a flood or drought. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 2, Page 342, Dār Al-Fikr, Jadīd Fiqhī Faiṣlay, Page 78, Majlis Taḥqīqāt Islāmīy)[1]
“Zakāh alms are only for the poor and the destitute, for those who collect zakāh, for conciliating people’s hearts, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for spending for God’s cause, and for travellers in need. It is a legal obligation enjoined by God. God is all-knowing and wise.” (Qur’ān 9:60)[2]
Only Allāh knows best
[1] الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ كَانُوا ثَلَاثَةَ أَقْسَامٍ قِسْمٌ كُفَّارٌ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ يُعْطِيهِمْ لِيَتَأَلَّفَهُمْ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَقِسْمٌ كَانَ يُعْطِيهِمْ لِيَدْفَعَ شَرَّهُمْ وَقِسْمٌ أَسْلَمُوا وَفِيهِمْ ضَعْفٌ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَكَانَ يَتَأَلَّفُهُمْ لِيَثْبُتُوا وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ حُكْمًا مَشْرُوعًا ثَابِتًا بِالنَّصِّ فَلَا حَاجَةَ إلَى الْجَوَابِ عَمَّا يُقَالُ كَيْفَ يَجُوزُ صَرْفُهَا إلَى الْكُفَّارِ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج٢/ ص ٣٤٢ دار الفكر
[2] إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ – سورة التوبة ٦٠