There is confusion regarding the issue of zakat payment to the descendants of Syed and Syarifah. Some claim that they are descendants of Prophet Muhammad SAW and therefore cannot receive zakat.

To address this issue, we need to examine the evidence regarding the prohibition of giving zakat to the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his entire family.

The Prophet SAW said:

إن الصدقة لا تنبغي لال محمد

Meaning: “Indeed, charity should not be given to the family of Muhammad.”
(Hadith narrated by Muslim)

According to Qaradawi, this evidence is not definitive (qat’i) because the term Ali Muhammad is similar to phrases like Ali Ibrahim and Ali ‘Imran, as mentioned in the Qur’an, Surah al-‘Imran, verse 33:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

Meaning: “Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, and the family of Abraham and the family of Imran above all the worlds.”

This verse shows that these terms were not intended to be permanent until the Day of Judgment but were limited to a specific time. Therefore, the term Ali Muhammad also applies only to a certain period. This means the prohibition of zakat to the family of Prophet Muhammad SAW was only applicable during his lifetime.

The majority of Shafi’i scholars hold that giving zakat to the descendants of the Prophet is prohibited. However, there is an opinion within the Shafi’i school that permits giving zakat in the present day. This is because it is difficult to verify whether someone truly descends from the Prophet, and refusing zakat solely because someone carries the title “Syed” or “Syarifah” may unjustly deny rightful recipients. Contemporary realities should be considered to ensure no one’s rights are denied.

The majority of scholars state that the Ahlul Bait of Prophet Muhammad SAW consists only of descendants from Bani Hashim and Bani Abdul Muttalib. Anyone outside these lineages is not considered part of the Prophet’s family.

Scholars differ on the ruling regarding zakat distribution to the Prophet’s family. The majority state that zakat should not be given to the Prophet’s family, as there are evidences forbidding it. This prohibition is also due to their share in al-Khumus (one-fifth of war booty).

However, some scholars, including some Shafi’i jurists, argue that zakat can be given to the Prophet’s family if the al-Khumus allocation no longer exists. The prohibition was only because they were entitled to al-Khumus from the Baitulmal. If they are no longer receiving it, zakat may be given as a form of necessity.

Meanwhile. Syarif or Syarifah who are not from Bani Hashim or Bani Abdul Muttalib should receive zakat because they are not part of the lineage prohibited from receiving it. Meanwhile, Syarif or Syarifah from Bani Hashim or Bani Abdul Muttalib are also allowed to receive zakat, as there is no longer an al-Khumus allocation for them from the Baitulmal in the present day.