Assalamu Alaikum,

We distribute Zakat centrally through an organization in India. Some people are of the opinion that Zakat cannot be given to a person who is not a true practicing Muslim. In my place it is very difficult to differentiate people, whether they are true practicing Muslims or not. Most poor people here are just Muslims by name. What should we do?
Allah Hafiz.

Zakat must be paid to every Muslim who is eligible to receive it. It is impermissible to falsely claim that a Muslim has renounced Islam after embracing it unless he does something that takes him out of Islam without having an excuse, through his ignorance or misinterpretation while being of sound mind. A person whose Muslim faith has been proved with certainty cannot be considered a disbeliever except with certain evidence.