5. Slave

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The fifth category of those who are entitled to zakah is: slaves.

The scholars explained this in three ways:

1. A mukatib or slave who has entered into a contract of manumission to buy himself from his master for a sum to be paid later. He may be given enough money to fulfil this contract with his master.

2. A slave who may be bought with zakah funds and set free.

3. A Muslim prisoner who has been captured by the kuffar; the kuffar may be given zakah funds to ransom this prisoner. This also applies to kidnapping: if a kafir or Muslim has kidnapped a Muslim, there is nothing wrong with ransoming this person with zakah funds, because the purpose is the same, namely releasing a Muslim from captivity. This applies if we are not able to force the kidnapper to release him without using this money, if the victim is a Muslim.