Recipient Can Use Zakat as His Own Propert

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a person receives Zakat it is like his own property and one can use it as one likes.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made a share in the wealth of the wealthy people obligatory for the needy. The affluent people are not appreciated until they pay it. That share is Zakat. Once it (Zakat) reaches in the hands of the needy, it then becomes like his own property and he uses it as he likes for marriage or Hajj. Yes, it is his property.’ I then asked, ‘Can a needy person who performs Hajj from Zakat receive the reward for Hajj as the wealthy person receives?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, the needy receive the same amount of reward.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that among our people there is a shaykh, called ‘Umar. He asked ‘Isa ibn ’A‘yan for help because he is needy. ‘Isa ibn ’A‘yan said to him, ‘There is Zakat with me, but I cannot give to you.’ He asked for reason. ‘Isa replied, ‘I saw you buying meat and dates.’ He said, ‘I had earned one dirham. With two daniq, I bought meat and with two daniq, I bought dates and I returned with two daniq for some other things that I needed.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), placed his hand on his forehead for a while, then raised his head then said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, looked at the wealth of the wealthy, then He looked at the poor people. He then assigned a share for the needy in the wealth of the wealthy, which will be sufficient for their needs. Had it (Zakat) not been sufficient (for the needs of the needy) He would have increased it. They (needy) must receive from Zakat what is sufficient for them to eat, drink, dress, marry, give charity and perform Hajj.’”

“Once, a man asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was sitting, ‘I receive Zakat. Can I save it so I perform Hajj therewith? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so and Allah gives reward to one who gives you Zakat.’”