another owner because he/she, the needy, cannot get credit. In the
system of zakah distribution, the needy would be given RF credit
that would help him/her own a taxi, drive it, and eventually grow
to own other taxis that would hire the poor (see category 1). This
improvement in employment would eventually raise his/her status
from being needy to the next step up the social ladder: becoming a
small business owner.
3.The administrators:
They are those who collect and administer the process of zakah collec-
tion, distribution, accounting, and investment.
4.Those who need to be helped, to integrate them and to bring them and
their hearts closer to the community:
A portion of the zakah funds is paid to this category to build bridges
between these people and the community, in an effort to create a
dignified, united, prosperous, and peaceful community regardless
of faith, color, national origin, political orientation, gender, and/or
language,
5.Freeing the slaves:
This category of spending is used to pay for the freeing and liberation of
the slaves. This category also applies to many communities that are
forced to live under the rule of dictators and who are longing for
freedom and liberty.
6.Relieving the heavily indebted:
These members of the community are defined as those who accumu-
lated a lot of debt due to unfortunate circumstances that are out of
their hands.
7.Spending in the way of God:
A portion of the collected zakah can be donated to support any charita-
ble effort to please God. Examples include building a school or
a place of worship, or helping a student, a refugee, or a new
immigrant.
8.Helping travelers/wayfarers:
These are newcomers and travelers who move to new locations or travel
to establish a new life, to search for new opportunities, to develop
new contacts, relationships and businesses, and/or to open new
markets, but do not have the resources to do it. This money can be
used to build hostels, community hotels, and facilities that would
make it easier for people to travel and achieve their goals.The Faith-Based Judeo-Christian-Islamic Foundation 37