Zakat constitutes a principal pillar among the five pillars of Islam that every Muslim should be keen to perform as its name is derived from growth and increase, meaning that what you spend returns to you with abundant goodness and blessings. Zakat must be disbursed through specific channels that Allah SWT clarified for us in the Quran. In this article, we will answer the question: can I give Zakat to my sister?
Conditions for giving Zakat to a sister
Zakat provides countless benefits, including achieving social solidarity, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and preventing malice, hatred, envy and other afflictions of the heart. Many individuals ask this question: can I give Zakat to my sister? yes, but the fulfillment of a set of conditions is necessary. Among the most important of these is the sister’s financial situation where it is required that she is poor and unable to meet her basic needs or is going through difficult circumstances.
She must not be among the wealthy . Before giving Zakat, ensure that your intention is purely for the sake of Allah Almighty so that it may be accepted. Zakat can be given to her if she is indebted, meaning she has a debt that she cannot repay; if these conditions apply to her, it is recommended that you give her Zakat because this act involves upholding ties of kinship.
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Ruling on giving Zakat to a married sister
After clarifying whether it is permissible to give Zakat to a sister, it is important for us to understand the ruling regarding Zakat for a married sister. This matter depends on the financial situation of her husband as Zakat can be given to a sister whose husband is unable to provide the necessities of life, such as food, drink, clothing and housing and is experiencing financial pressures, or is poor, needing, for example, ten coins to meet his essential needs but possessing only seven.
Giving Zakat to a working sister
If this sister possesses enough to suffice her needs, then it is not permissible to give Zakat to her; however, if she is needy, Zakat can be given to her, provided she is not residing in his house and is not among those he is obligated to support financially.
Do I pay Zakat on my car?
If the car is something the individual uses personally, then there is no Zakat due on it; however, if it is an item specifically intended for sale or trade, then Zakat becomes obligatory at that point.
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Can I give Zakat Fitr to my sister?
Yes, it is permissible for you to give Zakat al-Fitr to your sister without any problem, but you must ensure that she meets the conditions established by the people of knowledge to be considered among the recipients eligible for Zakat.
Do you pay Zakat on stocks?
Yes, Zakat is paid on stocks as long as they meet the conditions. For example, if someone owns shares in a company for the purpose of benefiting from its annual returns and not for trading, then the Zakat of exploited assets applies to them, similar to rented land or real estate where Zakat is due on the return and there is no Zakat on the principal value of the share itself. The amount is estimated at about one-fortieth (2.5%) after a year has passed from the day the return was received, taking into account the fulfillment of Zakat conditions and the absence of impediments.
Can we give Zakat to unmarried sister?
Yes, it is permissible as Zakat can be paid to a poor sister as long as her maintenance is not obligatory upon the Zakat payer. The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
«الصدقة في المسكين صدقة وفي ذي الرحم صدقة وصلة»
[“Charity given to the needy is one charity and charity given to a relative is charity.”]
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What’s the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah?
Zakat is an obligation and mandatory upon every capable Muslim, has specific designated recipients, a particular amount determined by Sharia and specific conditions including Nisab and Hawl. If someone dies while owing Zakat, it is obligatory upon his heirs to pay it from his wealth, taking precedence over bequests. Sadaqah, conversely, originates from the individual voluntarily, serves as evidence of the individual’s sincere faith and one is rewarded by Allah for doing it but does not incur sin for leaving it. It does not have a specific amount, unlike Zakat, regarding which the Messenger of Allah PBUH stated:
«ما من صاحب كنز لا يؤدي زكاته إلا أحمي عليه في نار جهنم فيجعل صفائح فيكوى بها جنباه وجبينه حتى يحكم الله بين عباده في يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة ثم يرى سبيله إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار»
[“There is no owner of treasure who does not pay its Zakat except that it will be heated for him in the fire of Hell, made into plates and his flanks and forehead will be branded with them, until Allah judges between His servants on a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years; then he will see his path, either to Paradise or to Hellfire.”]
Can I give Zakat to my brother who is in debt?
This matter depends on the brother’s financial situation; if he possesses means that help him settle his debt, such as selling assets exceeding his needs like land, property, or other possessions, he might not be eligible for Zakat. However, if your brother is indebted and lacks the means to pay off his debt, then he is more deserving of Zakat than others.
Do you pay Zakat on loaned money?
This matter depends on several factors, including the situation of the borrower. If the person who owes the loan is poor, insolvent, unable to repay the loan to its owner, denies taking the money in the first place, or insists on not returning it and you cannot retrieve it from him, then in these cases, Zakat is not obligatory upon you. However, if the loaned money was taken by a person who acknowledges it and will endeavor to return it if requested, then Zakat becomes obligatory because it resembles a deposit. Its Zakat is due when you receive the loan back and Zakat is paid for one year even if it remained with the borrower for several years.
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Can I give Zakat to my divorced sister?
Yes, there is no objection to doing so as long as she is poor or needy, because need is a condition for Zakat eligibility. However, if there are others assisting her and fulfilling her needs, then it is not correct to grant her Zakat.
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