The intended meaning of charity (Sadaqa) here is the obligatory Zakah, not other forms such as voluntary charity (sadaqat al-tatawwu'), expiations (kaffarat), vows (nudhur), and bequests (wasaya). We do not know of any disagreement among the people of knowledge that it is not permissible to disburse Zakah to anyone other than these categories, except for what was reported from Anas (3) and al-Hasan, who said: "Whatever is given for bridges and roads is a valid charity." The first opinion is more correct; this is because Allah the Almighty said: "Charities are only (innama)..." The word "innama" (only/exclusively) is for restriction; it establishes what is mentioned and negates what is besides it, because it is composed of two particles of negation and affirmation. It functions like the saying of the Almighty: "Allah is only (innama) One God" (Surah al-Nisa': 171), meaning there is no god but Allah. And His saying: "You are only (innama) a warner" (Surah al-Ra'd: 7), meaning you are nothing but a warner. And the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Loyalty (al-wala') belongs only (innama) to the one who emancipated" (6).

1086 - Issue: He said: "The poor (al-fuqara') are the infirm, the blind who have no trade—and a trade is a craft—and they do not possess fifty dirhams, nor their equivalent in gold. The needy (al-masakin) are the beggars and the non-beggars, those who have a trade, yet they do not possess fifty dirhams, nor their equivalent in gold."

The poor and the needy are two categories in Zakah, and one category in other rulings, because each of the two names applies to them. However, when the two names are combined and the two groups named are distinguished, they become distinct. Both imply need, indigence, and lack of wealth; however, the poor person is in greater need than the needy person, because (1) Allah the Almighty began with him, and one begins with the most important, then the next most important. This is the opinion of al-Shafi'i and al-Asma'i. Abu Hanifah held the view that the needy person is in greater need. This was also stated by