Does the noble verse "Take from their wealth a charity" indicate the obligation of paying zakat from money only, and is the giver of zakat required to deliver it to its beneficiaries without informing the treasury?
Islamic law has specified zakatable assets to include livestock (camels, cattle, and sheep/goats), fruits (dates and raisins), staple and stored grains (such as corn and rice), currency (gold, silver, and their equivalents), minerals, buried treasures (rikaz), and trade goods. Anything other than these is not subject to zakat.
There are two ways to disburse zakat: 1. The owner or their agent gives it directly to the deserving recipients from the eight categories mentioned in the verse from Surat At-Tawbah: "Indeed, zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise." 2. One pays it to the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury) if it is well-regulated, so that it may disburse it according to its sharia-prescribed categories.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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