205. Zakat in the ‘path of Allah’.

Zakat funds can be used in eight different ways as per the verse 9:60 of the Quran ,and one such way is in the path of the Creator.

Though the phrase ‘in the path of the Creator’ refers to all good needs, it particularly means fighting in the battle field for the cause of Truth. 

It can be seen from the meaning of this verse, the path of God means not necessarily be taken in a general sense to point out all the good deeds.

There are two explanations by Prophet Muhammad in this regard as can be seen in the (Hadith Book:Abu Dawood 1393).

This is the first reason.

If the mention of ‘ the path of God’ refers to all the good deeds by men then there is no necessity to differentiate receivers of Zakat Money into eight categories of people.Had Allah had stopped with the words ‘in the path of Allah’, the rest of seven categories would have fit into one..

Because as per definition all the other seven categories fall ‘in the path of God’.and hence it needs to be taken here at this instance as meaning ‘those waging war’.

During the time of Prophet Muhammad the warriors were no paid for their services, but were asked to be paid from the Zakat Money. 

Religious services, releasing of books, constructing masjids, do not fall under the category of ‘In the path of Allah’ though they do not come under the purview of this verse (9:60 ) somehow fit into the general description.