We wish to clarify a matter about Zakat. Many people are of the opinion that one cannot and should not give Zakat to Sayyeds (whose ancestry goes back to Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] ). Is there any reference to this in the Quran or in Hadeeth? If one refers to Surah Anfal (8th surah) verse 41, about booty gained from the Battle of Badr and its distribution, the explanation (tafseer) given by some scholars is that apart from the other categories of people like Yateems or Miskeens, etc. who were to get a part of the booty, the Prophet [PBUH] was to also distribute a part amongst his close relatives (Bani Hashim) who had assisted him in war. The explanation goes on to say that "these relatives are not supposed to accept Zakah". Was this condition about acceptance of Zakat by the Prophet's [PBUH] relatives a temporary condition at that time because they had received part of the booty, which would provide for their needs? If one is a Sayyed and has relatives in need of money, is it proper and correct for him to give Zakah to such relatives? I would appreciate your comments and advice.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

There is a consensus among Muslim scholars that it is not lawful to give Zakah [obligatory charity] to the members of the family of the Prophet , and nor should they receive it. In this context, the beloved Prophet said: “Charity and Zakah are not lawful for the members of the family of Muhammad, since they are considered as the dirt of the people who give them.” [Muslim]

Allaah, the Great and Almighty, has assigned for the family of Muhammad a fifth of the war booty, and if this share is not available for whatever reason then some Fuqahaa (jurists) state that is permitted to give Zakah to the family of Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi was sallam, while others oppose that.

According to some Fuqahaa, it is lawful for any one of Bani Haashim (sons of Haashim, who are the tribe of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi was sallam) to give Zakah to someone of his tribe if the latter is poor since this is not from the dirt of people as the abovementioned Hadeeth states, but this opinion is weak.

In any case, there is no harm for those of Bani Haashim who are in dire need to receive Zakah.

Allaah Knows best.