Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Making a needy person the complete owner of the Zakaat

For Zakaat to be valid, it is necessary that a needy Muslim who is not from the family of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) should be made the absolute owner of the amount of Zakaat.  As Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

And establish Prayer and pay Zakat (the Alms-due) regularly and kneel down (together) with those who kneel down.  Surah Baqarah (2:43)

Apart from this verse, in other verses of the Holy Quran also, the word, “Eeta” is used which means to make the owner of.

In light of this, Zakaat will be held valid only when the needy person is made the absolute owner of the amount.  Like handing over the money, clothing them, handing over foodstuff, etc.  If for instance, the needy people are invited to come to a dinner, then the Zakaat will not be valid.

As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Kitab Uz Zakaat.