1088 - Issue: He said: (And those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and they are the polytheists who are to be reconciled to Islam).

This is the fourth category of the recipients of Zakat. Abu Hanifah said: Their share has been discontinued. This is one of the opinions of al-Shafi'i, based on what was narrated: a polytheist came to 'Umar asking for wealth, and he did not give him anything, saying: {So whoever wills, let him believe, and whoever wills, let him disbelieve} (1). It was not reported from 'Umar, 'Uthman, or 'Ali that they gave anything of this, and because Allah the Almighty manifested Islam and suppressed the polytheists, so we have no need for reconciliation (ta'lif). Hanbal narrated from Ahmad that he said: The rule concerning those whose hearts are to be reconciled has been discontinued today. The school of thought is contrary to what Hanbal narrated, and perhaps the meaning of Ahmad's statement, "their rule has been discontinued," means that there is generally no need for them, or he intended that the Imams today do not give them anything (2). As for if there is a need for them, it is permissible to give to them; it is not permissible to give to them except when there is a need. As for us, we have as evidence for the permissibility of giving to them the saying of Allah the Almighty: {And those whose hearts are to be reconciled} (3). This verse is in Surah Bara'ah (al-Tawbah), and it is among (4) the last of what was revealed of the Qur'an to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It has been established that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave to those to be reconciled among the polytheists and the Muslims (5). Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) gave to 'Adi ibn Hatim thirty camels when he came to him with three hundred camels from the charity camels. Opposing the Book of Allah the Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and disregarding them (6) without evidence is not permissible, and abrogation is not proven by the cessation of...