All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The eligible recipients of Zakah (obligatory charity) are specified in Islamic law, and limited to the eight categories mentioned in the noble Quran. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [Zakah] 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." [At-Tawbah/60].
Accordingly, the poor and the needy are among the eligible categories to receive Zakah.
The poor and the needy are both characterized by their need, but the extent varies for each. The poor is defined as one who does not possess wealth or income that suffices for basic necessities such as food, drink, clothing, medicine, and shelter at the usual level; they receive less than half of their needs. On the other hand, the needy is someone who has some wealth or earnings that would meet some of their needs, but are insufficient to meet them all; they earn more than half of their needs and do not reach the level of sufficiency.
Imam Al-Khatib Al-Shirbini, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "The poor is one who has no wealth or earnings that would meet all his needs, or the sum total of his needs is beyond his reach... What is meant by his needs are those which suffice him for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities that are appropriate to his condition, without extravagance or parsimony... If he has earnings but they are insufficient due to illness preventing him from working, or he cannot find employment, or he finds work that is unsuitable for him, or he cannot find lawful earnings, then he is considered poor." [Mughni Al-Muhtaj, Vol. 4/P.173].
He also said: "The needy is one who possesses wealth or earns a lawful income that meets a portion of his sufficiency for food, drink, clothing, and other necessities he requires for himself, and for those whose maintenance is obligatory upon him, similar to what was mentioned for the poor. However, this wealth or income is insufficient for him, such as someone needing ten but finding only seven or eight." (Mughni al-Muhtaj, Vol. 4/P.176).
In conclusion, both the poor and the needy share the common factor of neediness, with the needs of the poor being more intense than those of the needy. However, both are eligible recipients of Zakah. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
