Alms Tax: Giving Zakat to Someone Whose Status as a Sayyid is Unknown
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani
Ruling 1970
Zakat can be given to a person whom one does not know whether he is a sayyid or not. However, if that person himself claims that he is a sayyid [it is not permitted to give him zakat], and if one does give him zakat he will not be exempted from the obligation.
-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Alms Tax (Zakat)