Ruling on Zakat Given to an Apparently Eligible Person Who Later Proves Ineligible

Short answer: If you gave zakat to someone you genuinely believed was eligible (due to apparent poverty, debt, etc.) and later discovered they were not, your zakat is accepted by Allah and you are not required to pay again, provided you exercised reasonable care in verifying eligibility. The evidence from authentic hadith shows that sincere intention and effort suffice. Details: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) narrated two incidents where a man intended to give charity and unknowingly gave it to a thief (Sahih al-Bukhari 1421) and to an adulteress (Sahih Muslim 1022). In both cases, the man was rewarded for his sincere intention, and no command was given to repeat the charity. This principle applies to zakat as well, as long as the giver acted in good faith without knowledge of the recipient's ineligibility. However, if you had clear knowledge or strong suspicion that the person was not eligible at the time of giving, or if you failed to make a reasonable inquiry, then the zakat is not valid and must be given again to a proper recipient. Evidence: 1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1421: A man gave charity to a thief unknowingly, and the Prophet (ﷺ) did not order him to repeat it; rather, the man was praised. 2. Sahih Muslim 1022: A man gave charity to an adulteress unknowingly, and the same principle applied. Conclusion: As long as you were unaware and had reasonable grounds to believe the recipient was eligible, your zakat is valid and you do not need to pay again. For complex cases involving negligence or doubt, consult a scholar.