The upright Islamic religion urges us to take care of our family and relatives, demonstrating good attention towards them more than towards others because doing so reflects positively on the entire society and strengthens its social structure. We may find many of our relatives suffering from difficult financial circumstances and debts which leads some people to wonder: can you give Zakat to family? In this article, we will answer this important and frequently raised question in detail, mentioning the opinions of respected scholars.
Can you give Zakat to family?
can you give Zakat to family? This stands as one of the most common questions that crosses the minds of a large number of Muslims. This matter depends on several factors, including the degree of kinship; for example, parents, children and grandchildren are considered first-degree relatives. Therefore, giving Zakat to them is generally not permissible because you might already be required to spend on them, or you would benefit directly or indirectly from this Zakat if you were to give it to them.
The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet PBUH:
«أنت ومالك لأبيك»
[“You and your wealth belong to your father.”]
This represents the preponderant view of the Hanafis and Hanbalis. However, in the case of siblings (brothers and sisters), paternal uncles and aunts, cousins and other relatives, Zakat can indeed be given to them provided they qualify as one of the eight known recipients eligible for Zakat according to Sharia, such as if this person is poor. It is also stipulated that they must not be among those upon whom you are legally and Islamically obligated to provide maintenance.
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What should and should not be done when giving Zakat within the family?
You must ascertain the precise Sharia ruling for your specific situation before giving Zakat because this differs from one case to another; for instance, Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “It is permissible to pay Zakat to parents and children if they are poor and he is unable to spend on them.” This represents an exceptional case with its own conditions.
It is also necessary that you confirm the fulfillment of the conditions for Zakat being obligatory upon you in the first place before you pay it, such as the wealth being Halal and pure, capable of growth and increase, having reached the Nisab threshold and a lunar year having passed over it. Furthermore, Zakat should not be given to a Kafir or someone who has apostatized from the religion.
How much is Zakat Eid Ul Fitr? Zakat al-Fitr is considered obligatory upon every Muslim at the end of the month of Ramadan and before the Eid prayer. Its amount is specified by Sharia as one Sa’ of the staple food of the people of the land for each individual which is estimated to be approximately 3 kg of rice or wheat, for example. It was narrated from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri who said:
«كنا نخرج صدقة الفطر صاعًا من طعام أو صاعًا من شعير أو صاعًا من تمر أو صاعًا من أقط أو صاعًا من زبيب»
[“We used to give out Sadaqat al-Fitr as one Sa’ of food, or one Sa’ of barley, or one Sa’ of dates, or one Sa’ of dried yogurt (Aqt), or one Sa’ of raisins.”]
Is it permissible for a wife to pay the Zakat of her wealth to her husband?
Scholars have differed regarding this matter; some of them hold the view that this action is not permissible, such as Imam Abu Hanifa because the financial maintenance is incumbent upon the husband, who is responsible for supporting the family and providing for his wife. Therefore, her Zakat given to him might return to her indirectly which violates the condition of complete transfer of ownership.
Others hold the view that this matter is permissible and there is no objection to it, such as the madhhab of the Shafi’is and Hanbalis which is the preponderant opinion according to many contemporary scholars, provided the husband is indeed poor and actually eligible for Zakat.
People always ask: Can i give Zakat to my sister or Can i give Zakat to my brother? It is permissible for you according to Sharia if the specific conditions for Zakat eligibility apply to them, such as their being poor, needy, or in debt. In such a situation, they might be more deserving and have a greater right than strangers, due to the saying of the Prophet PBUH:
«إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِينِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَعَلَى ذِي الرَّحِمِ اثْنَتَانِ: صَدَقَةٌ وصلة»
[“Indeed, charity given to the needy is one charity and charity given to a relative is two: charity and upholding ties of kinship.”]
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Benefits of giving Zakat to family members
Giving Zakat to eligible relatives helps significantly and practically in strengthening family bonds and increasing love, affection and mutual compassion among them. It also plays a great role in mending hearts and alleviating hardships and worries for them. Through it, the Muslim achieves much reward and multiplied recompense.
Do you pay Zakat on loaned money?
Yes, paying Zakat on this money is required if the person who took it is solvent and acknowledges that he took it. However, if he is poor, insolvent, unable to repay it and repayment is not expected soon, no Zakat is due upon you according to the preponderant view.
FAQs
Can I give the Zakat to my son?
It is not permissible for a father to give Zakat to his son whom he is capable of supporting financially. This is because the son is fundamentally among those whom the father is Islamically obligated to provide for.
Can you give Zakat to family without telling?
If one intends to give Zakat to a family member after confirming the permissibility of doing so according to the Sharia ruling, he can give it to them secretly if he wishes to avoid causing embarrassment for them. It is not necessary to inform the recipient that the money given is Zakat; rather, what is stipulated is having the sincere intention when giving it out. This is based on the saying of the Prophet PBUH:
«إنما الأعمال بالنيات وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى»
[“Actions are judged only by intentions and every person will have only what he intended.”]
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Can you give Zakat to family in debt?
Zakat can be given to a family member if he has debts and is unable to repay them himself, provided he is not among those upon whom you are obligated to provide maintenance. In this situation, he might be more deserving than others because he combines both need and kinship
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