10484 - ‘Abd al-Wahhab narrated to us from Khalid from Abu Qilabah that he was asked about zakat. He said: "Give it to the sultan." It was said: "They do such and such with it, and such and such," twice. He said: "Can you put it in its proper places?" They said: "No." He said: "Then give it to them."

It is narrated from Hazrat Khaythamah that Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "Give your zakat even to those rulers who do not perform the prayer." The narrator says that Hazrat Khaythamah states that the meaning of Hazrat Ibn Umar's (may Allah be pleased with them both) statement is: "Give even to those rulers who do not perform the prayer at its prescribed time."

10486 - He said: And Khaythama said: They did not perform the prayer at its proper time.

Hazrat Muslim bin Yasar says that the verse of the Holy Qur’an { وَأَقِیمُوا الصَّلاَۃَ وَآتَوُا الزَّکَاۃَ } (Establish prayer and pay zakat) is related to the obligation concerning the ruler.

Imam Zuhri says that zakat should be given to the ruler.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Al-Bailmani that the will which Hazrat Siddiq Akbar made to Hazrat Umar was this: Whoever gives zakat to anyone other than the rulers, his zakat will not be accepted even if he gives the whole world in zakat.

Hazrat Mujahid and Hazrat Ata say that pay the zakat of your wealth to the ruler.

Hazrat Abu Huraira and Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) say: "Pay the zakat of your wealth to the ruler."

Hazrat Nu’man narrates that a person asked Hazrat Mak’hool regarding Zakat (to whom should I give Zakat?). He replied: To the king and the Imam who possesses the qualities mentioned in the Qur’an, and they used to keep the payment of Zakat concealed.

Ibrahim and Hasan say that give Zakat in its proper places (where it is due) and keep it concealed.